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A STUDENT'S HISTORY 
OF ILLINOIS 



BY 
GEORGE W. SMITH, M. A., 

M 

Department of History and Civics, State Normal School, 

Carbondale, Illinois. Member Board of Directors 

The Illinois State Historical Society 



REVISED EDITION 

(THIRTY-FIRST THOUSAND) 



HALL & McCREARY 

CHICAGO. 






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Copyright 1906, 1916, 1917 
By George W. Smith 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



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TO THE MEMORY 

ov 

My Father and Mother, 

STEPHEN SMITH and SALLIB M. SMITH, 

Pioneers in this Great Commonwealth, 

This Volume is Aftectionately 

DEDICATED. 



Carbondale, Illinois 
August 15, 1917 



PREFACE 



TO REVISED EDITION 



In 1906 the author put out the "Student's History of 
lUinois." For the past ten years the book has been exten- 
sively used as a text in the public schools. To meet the 
needs of an overcrowded school course, the book has been 
reduced in volume. It has also been revised and brought 
down to the present date. In this reduction in volume 
great care has been exercised to avoid the omission of 
the essential facts of our State's history. 

The author's experience in teaching Illinois History 
for the past dozen years justifies the belief that he knows 
what may be omitted and what should be included in a 
good text on Illinois History. The revised edition will 
have the advantage of this knowledge. 

Maps and illustrations in history texts are valuable in 
proportion to what they reveal of the real historic move- 
ment. In this age of illustrated literature and travel, the 
need of pictures in history texts has greatly decreased. 
This theory is the justification for the omission of many 
pictures which appeared in the first edition. 



CHAPTER 

I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 
XL 

XII. 

XIII. 

XIV. 

XV. 

XVI. 

XVII. 

XVIII. 

XIX. 

XX. 

XXI. 

XXII. 

XXIII. 

XXIV. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Illinois — Its Kesources and Its People 4 

The French in the Valley of the St. Lawrence. 14 
Discovery of the Mississippi by Marquette and 

JOLIET 18 

The Triumphs of Chevalier De La Salle 23 

Permanent Settlements in Illinois 29 

Illinois a Koyal Province 35 

The British in the Illinois Country 40 

George Eogers Clark Captures Kaskaskia 44 

The British Flag Lowered at Cahokia and Vin- 

cennes 51 

Clark's Capture of Vincennes 55 

Illinois County, Virginia — The Northwest Ter- 
ritory 61 

Illinois a Part of the Indiana Territory 68 

Illinois Territory 72 

Prepared for Statehood 77 

Illinois a State 80 

A Eetrospect 85 

Administration of Governor Bond 93 

Administration of Governor Coles — A Great 

Struggle 101 

Administration of Governor Edwards 113 

John Reynolds — The Black Hawk War 117 

Governor Duncan — State Banking 125 

A Pioneer Industry 132 

Collapse of Improvement System 137 

Another Short Eetrospect 144 



Contents 



CHAPTER PAGE 

XXV. Troublesome Questions 157 

XXVI. The Second Constitution 162 

XXVII. The Illinois Central Railroad 168 

XXVIII. The Public School 173 

XXIX. A Republican Governor 179 

XXX. A Son of Illinois 187 

XXXI. Governor Richard Yates — Illinois in the Civil 

War 193 

XXXII. Governor Richard Oglesby — Close of the Civil 

War 204 

XXXIII. Some Phases of the Civil War 210 

XXXIV. Administration of Governor John M. Palmer.. 217 
XXXV. Governor John L. Beveridge— A Period of 

Unrest 221 

XXXVI. Administration op Governor Cullom 225 

XXXVII. Governor John M. Hamilton 228 

XXXVIII. Governor Richard J. Oglesby 230 

XXXIX. Joseph W. Fifer, Governor 232 

XL. Governor John P. Altgeld 1 237 

XLI. Governor John R. Tanner 242 

XLII. Some Good Legislation 246 

XLIII. Governor Charles S. Deneen 249 

XLIV. Some Recent Legislation 252 

XLV. Governor Frank O. Lovfden 255 

The Centennial Year 258 

A General Survey 261 



A STUDENT'S HISTORY 
OF ILLINOIS 

INTKODUCTORY 

The richest heritage which shall ever come into our pos- 
session is the simple story of the struggles, the sacrifices, 
and the triumphs of the men and women — our fore- 
parents — who planted in this western wilderness the home, 
the school, the church, and the State. 

We shall never know that story in all its fullness and 
completeness. For the noble men and women who opened 
up the way for civilization in all this western country, 




A Home-made Loom Used in Weaving Carpets. 



2 A Student's History of Illinois 

have long since gone to their reward, and they have left 
meager accounts of all the vicissitudes through which they 
passed when ''wilderness was king." 

We shall never realize, fully, what it meant for the 
men and women of a century or more ago to leave com- 
fortable homes, devoted friends and relatives, the asso- 
ciations of childhood, aye, the graves of their dead, and 
take up their weary march over mountains, across streams, 
through trackless forests, to plant new homes in a 
wilderness inhabited by wild beasts and wilder men. 

It is the purpose of this little volume to reveal a por- 
tion of that story to our people, and especially to the boys 
and girls while they are yet free from the cares of the 
graver responsibilities of life. If these young people shall 
ever come into possession of their inheritance, we need 
have no fear for the future of our homes nor for the 
destiny of the State. 

The tendency of those who gather up the history of a 
state or of a nation is to put much stress upon the political 
movements and greatly to neglect the other phases of a 
people's life. As individuals and as a people we do not 
have very definite notions of the march of progress in the 
social life of our people; nor of the industrial move- 
ment which has revolutionized all kinds of labor. Like- 
wise we find it difficult to fornuilate definite notions of our 
religious and educational advancement. 

But it ought not so to be. We ought to be as deeply 
interested in the unfolding of our industrial life as in the 
evolution of our political history. What could be more 
profitable, and what more charming than the story of the 
progressive steps by which our home life has moved away 
from the one room log cabin with its chinks and daub, 
its puncheon floor, its open fireplace, its stick chimney, its 
whitewashed walls, and its creaky door upon its wooden 
hinges ? 



A Student's History of Illinois 3 

To the writer it has seemed not inappropriate to attempt 
to gather up and put into convenient form this simple 
story of our wonderful growth and development His 
parents were immigrants in the early '30's, and the story 
of the life of those days as it came from father and mother 
is a blessed memory. This traditional knowledge has been 
supplemented by a limited amount of original investiga- 
tion, but the chief reliance has been placed in the pub- 
lished histories to which the writer has had access. 




Spinning Wheel, Spool Frame, and Warping Bars. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER I. 

ILLINOIS— ITS RESOURCES AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1. Boundary. — The constitutional boundary as given 

in the enabling act is as follows : 

Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash river; thence up the 
same, and with the line of Indiana, to the northwest corner of 
said State; thence east with the line of the same State to the 
middle of Lake Michigan; tlience north along the middle of said 
lake, to north latitude 42 degrees 80 minutes; thence west to 
the middle of the Mississippi river; and thence down along the 
middle of that river to its confluence with the Ohio river; and 
thence up the latter river along its northwestern shore, to the 
beginning. 

2. Area and Surface. — The area of Illinois is 56,650 
square miles. In comparison with other states of the 
Union, it is smaller than the average. 

Illinois lies in what geographers call the great central 
plain. Its surface is quite uniform in elevation. The 
lowest point is Cairo whose low-water mark is 268 feet 
above sea level ; the highest point, Charles Mound, is 1257 
feet in elevation and is found in Jo Daviess county. 

The general slope of the land is toward the south and 
southwest, the rivers all flowing in that general direction. 
Through the State in a northeasterly and southwesterly 
direction, there runs a water-shed which separates the 
rivers which flow into the Mississippi from those flowing 
into the Wabash and the Ohio. 

3. Glaciated and Unglaciated Areas. — The surface for- 
mation is known as glaciated and unglaciated. There is 
a southern unglaciated area. This region includes all 
south of a line drawn from Chester in Randolph county 



A Student's History of Illinois 5 

southeasterly and then northeasterly through the counties 
of Randolph, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, and 
White. 

In the northwestern part of the State there is a second 
unglaciated area in the counties of Jo Daviess, Carroll, 
and Stephenson. There are also traces in Pike and Cal- 
houn of another such area. All the rest of the State is 
known as the glaciated area. 

4. Soils. — There are two kinds of soil in this State. 
First we have what is called the residuary soil. This is the 
soil that resulted from the decay of the original rock 
layers. It has never been greatly disturbed, and is occupy- 
ing the place formerly occupied by the rocks from which 
it was made. 

Another kind is that which came from the ice-sheet. 
This ice-sheet brought into the State very great quantities 
of waste material from the regions around and beyond 
the Lakes. This was left scattered over the State cover- 
ing the residuary soil several feet in depth. This deposit 
of glacial drift soon weathered and with the addition of 
humus made a black and rich prairie soil. 

5. Timber Areas, — Illinois is called the Prairie State. 
From this we are not to conclude that there is or was no 
timber in the State, for in many counties there yet remain 
large areas of timbered land. When Illinois was first 
seen by the white men more than one-fourth of the State 
was covered with forests. The timber area is now about 
17% of the whole area. 

Throughout all the counties bordering the rivers there 
have been cut large quantities of timber. The early 
settlers found "board trees" in sufficient abundance to 
furnish clapboards for the roofs of their houses; and 
often the weather-boarding and the lathing were rived 
out of oak trees. 

Among the forest trees we find oak, maple, black- 



6 A Student's History of Illinois 

walnut, ash, sycamore, hickory, hackberry, elm, gum, 
birch, chestnut, pecan, locust, wild cherry, cottonwood, 
poplar, basswood, mulberry, etc. 

Considerable interest has been shown in recent years in 
the cultivation of timber and despite the fact that there 
has been a great waste of our forest trees, there now 
remain twenty-three counties in the northern part of the 
State with 7 per .cent of wood lands ; twenty-one counties 
along the Illinois river with 15 per cent; seventeen coun- 
ties toward the eastern part of the State with 6 per cent; 
seventeen counties with 24 per cent; thirteen counties in 
the Kaskaskia district with 21 per cent; and the remain- 
ing eleven counties with 27 per cent of wood lands. This 
gives an average of 17 per cent for the entire State which 
is a loss of about 8 per cent since the coming of the whites 
to the State. 

6. Prairie Areas. — Illinois did not present to the early 
settlers an unbroken expanse of prairie land; and while 
75 per cent of its area was known as prairie, yet it was 
found in smaller areas partially surrounded by timber 
which followed the streams up to their sources and often 
projected out into the prairie portions. 

"Grand Prairie" often mentioned was the largest area 
of timberless land. Peck's Gazetteer published in 1837 
says of this region : 

It does not consist of one vast tract, boundless to the vision, 
and uninhabitable for want of timber; but is made up of con- 
tinuous tracts, with points of timber projecting inward, and 
long arms of prairie extending between the creeks and small 
streams. . . . No portion of it is more than six or eight miles 
distant from timber, and coal in abundance is found in various 
parts. 

Settlements and small prairies often took the same 

name. To illustrate we may mention Allen's Prairie, in 

Greene county, a settlement, ten miles northeast of Car- 

rollton ; Barney's Prairie, a settlement in Wabash county; 



A Student's History of Illinois 7 

Bear Prairie in Wayne; Canton Prairie in Fulton; 
Diamond Grove Prairie in Morgan ; Four Mile Prairie in 
Perry ; Fourteen Mile Prairie in Effingham ; Long Prairie 
in Jefferson ; Ogle's Prairie in St. Clair ; Salt Creek Settle- 
ment (Prairie) in Mason; Sand Prairie in Tazewell; 
Seven Mile Prairie in White; Wait's Settlement (Prairie) 
in Bond, etc. 

So also settlements, and points of timber which projected 
into the prairies frequently took on the same name. A 
few examples will suffice. Bailey's Point, a settlement 
in LaSalle county fourteen miles southeast of Ottawa ; Blue 
Point in Effingham ; Muddy Point in Coles ; Piper's Point 
in Greene ; Vancil's Point in IMacoupin ; Brown's Point in 
Morgan. 

7. Coal.- — Illinois lies in one of the greatest coal fields on 
the continent. About 37,000 square miles of the State 
are underlaid with a rich deposit of bituminous coal. In 
the extreme north, west, and south, there is little if any 
coal. The remainder of the State is abundantly supplied. 
The deposits are found in horizontal layers of varying 
thickness from a few inches to 15 feet. In many places 
these layers of coal crop out along bluffs or streams, but 
usually the coal is taken from veins which lie from 50 to 
500 feet below the surface. 

8. Lead. — As early as 1700, a French trader, discovered 
lead in what is now Jo Daviess county. By 1825, 100 
miners were taking out ore. From this date to the Civil 
War the industry was actively carried on, but when the 
war came on the mining industry was greatly crippled. 
It is estimated that the entire output of lead ore up to 
the close of the last century, taken from the mines in 
Jo Daviess county was worth $40,000,000. 

9. Clay. — Clay for the manufacture of common brick 
is found everywhere in the State. But fire clay and 
potter's clay while found in large quantities are restricted 



8 A Student's History of Illinois 

to a few localities. At Monmouth in Warren county, at 
White Hall in Greene county, and at Macomb in McDon- 
ough county, are large deposits. Several large factories 
are in operation at these points for the manufacture of 
potter's ware, drain tile, sewer pipe, and fire brick. 

10. Kaolin. — This highly valuable mineral is found in 

several localities in Union county. Large quantities have 

been shipped east and probably to Europe. It has been 

analyzed and found to contain the following elements: 

Silicic acid 51.71 

Titanic acid trace 

Alumina 32.75 

Oxide of iron 1.93 

Lime 0.53 

Magnesia 0.19 

Potash 0.96 

Soda 0.24 

Water and organic matter 11.69 

Total 100 per cent. 

Previous to the World's Fair at Chicago, a sample of 
the Union county kaolin was sent to Stockholm, 'Sweden, 
where it was analyzed as given above. The Hon. Robert 
Almstrom, Director of the Rorstrand Porcelain AVorks of 
the above city, manufactured from this kaolin beautiful 
dishes of white and decorated designs. These articles are 
said to be the only white table-ware ever made from 
Illinois materials. 

11. Fluor Spar. — This rare and valuable substance is 
found in abundance in Hardin county, and probably on 
the borders of Pope. The mine at Rosiclare on the Ohio 
river in Hardin county is said to be the only place where 
the mineral is found in North America. Large compa- 
nies are now organized for the purpose of putting this 
product of the mines on the market. The business has 
already proved very remunerative and Rosiclare has truly 



A Student's History of Illinois 9 

the air of a prosperous western mining town. The spar 
has beautiful bluish and pinkish tints and is said to be 
of a very high grade. 

12. Iron. — Iron exists in paying quantities in several of 
the counties of southeastern Illinois along the Ohio river. 
In 1837 an extensive reducing plant was erected in 
Hardin county and pig-iron was produced in large quan- 
tities till about 1860. Since that time the industry has 
languished and today nothing is being done along that 
line, but companies are being organized for the purpose 
of renewing the iron industry. 

13. Petroleum, — Oil was early discovered in the south 
half of the State, but no effort has been made until within 
recent years to produce oil in paying quantities. At the 
present time, however, there are hundreds of wells which 
are very productive in the counties adjacent to the Wabash 
river, while borings are being made in several interior 
counties in that section with good prospects of oil in 
abundance. Natural gas also is found in the south end of 
the State but the wells are not to be depended on for con- 
stant supply. 

14. Building Stone. — Illinois is well supplied with 
building stone. The chief kinds are limestone and sand- 
stone. There is a great variety of limestone. Extensive 
quarries have been worked at Alton, Chester, Grafton, 
Joliet, Nauvoo, and at other points in the State. 

Sandstone is found throughout the region of the Ozarks 
and is of an excellent quality for building purposes. 

15. Water- Ways. — No state in the Union has a more 
magnificent system of water-ways than has Illinois. The 
Mississippi river marks its western boundary. The entire 
length of the Mississippi river bordering the State is about 
550 miles; the Ohio and Wabash furnish nearly 300 
miles of river front ; while Lake Michigan bathes 60 miles 
of the northeastern shore. Within the State we have quite 



10 A Student's History of Illinois 

a number of streams which though not furnishing naviga- 
tion are yet streams of considerable value. 

We have flowing into the Mississippi river, out of the 
State of Illinois, the Rock river, the Illinois, the Kaskaskia, 
and the Big ]\Iuddy. Into the Wabash and the Ohio there 
flow the Big Vermilion, the Embarras, the Little Wabash, 
the Saline, and the Cache. In the future all these streams 
may be serviceable for navigation. 

16. Agriculture. — A state with such fertile soil, abun- 
dant rainfall, perfect drainage, equable climate, etc., is 
destined to be a great agricultural region. In 1910 nearly 
the entire State, excepting the timbered areas, was in 
cultivation. The value of all farm property was 
$3,905,321,075. The chief crops for that year were wheat, 
oats, corn, hay, rye, and barley. 

17. Production cf Coal. — ^As has been previously stated 
between thirty and forty thousand square miles of the sur- 
face of the State are underlaid with coal. Its deposit so 
near the surface and the excellent transportation facilities 
make it easy for Illinois to rank second in the production 
of soft coal. 

18. Commerce. — A State so rich in agricultural produc- 
tions and in mineral resources must of necessity have good 
commercial facilities. Great crops of food products must 
be moved from the agricultural districts to those sections 
of the country where the production is much below the 
consumption. So also the great output of coal must find 
the furnaces and the great factories of the country. Again 
a great population engaged in agriculture, mining, and 
manufacturing must be supplied with products from other 
regions of the earth. 

We are not disappointed therefore when we turn our 
attention to the transportation facilities of this State. No 
state in the Union presents such slight obstacles to rail- 
road building as does the "Prairie State." 



A Student's History of Illinois 11 

The Illinois Central railroad is said to have cost but 
$20,000 per mile. This is very greatly below the average 
cost of railroad building in the United States. The State 
is now checkered with railroads, there being above 12,000 
miles within the State. The commercial facilities offered 
by the railroads are supplemented by many hundreds of 
miles of navigable rivers to which we must add all the 
advantages which the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence river 
offer. 

19. Indians. — There were several Indian tribes in 
Illinois when the first whites came. The most important 
tribe was a large one called the Illinois Indians or the 
Illinois confederacy. The Illinois confederacy included 
the Michigamies, Kaskaskias, the Kahokias, the Peorias, 
and the Tamaroas. There were beside these tribes the 
Sacs and Foxes, the Winnebagoes, the Kickapoos, the 
Piankishaws, the Pottowatomies, and the Shawnees. The 
Illinois had possession of the upper parts of the river by 
that name ; the Sacs and Foxes were in the northern part 
of the State ; the Pottowatomies, to the west of Lake Michi- 
gan ; the Winnebagoes, in the north part of the State ; the 
Miamis and Piankishaws, in the eastern, along the 
Wabash. 

20. Prehistoric. — Few states are richer in the remains 
of a long continued prehistoric occupation than Illinois. 
Among the evidences of Indians who probably greatly 
antedated those whom the French found here in 1663, are 
stone implements, various kinds of pottery, pictures on 
rocks and bluffs, and mounds, forts, etc. 

Many of our people have made very fine collections of 
all kinds of stone tools, such as stone axes, hammers, dress- 
ing tools, ornaments, and ceremonial stones, and stone 
implements used in games and in war. Stone idols, pipes, 
and other objects are found in the State. Simple copper 
ornaments are also found. 



12 A Student's History of Illinois 

But probably the most marked objects wliich point to a 
forgotten people are the mounds which are to be found 
in the State. The most noted are those in the American 
Bottom near the city of East St. Louis; however, similar 
mounds are found elsewhere within the State. In these 
mounds have been found pottery, cloth, cords, seeds, ears 
of corn, copper ornaments, etc. 

21. The People. — The most valuable asset of any com- 
monwealth is its people. The soil may be fertile, the rain- 
fall abundant, the temperature equable, but if the people 
have not been cast in the right kind of mould then the 
commonwealth is poor indeed. The first whites — the 
French — added very little to the sum total of the institu- 
tional life in Illinois. There is not a single great civil or 
business enterprise in the State which the French 
founded ; everything about our political and civil institu- 
tions savors of the Anglo-Saxon. After the French, the 
first whites to come into the State were the soldiers who 
came with George Rogers Clark. Many of these were 
from the Carolinas and Virginia, with short residences in 
Tennessee and Kentucky. Not a few of these eventually 
settled in the territory which their valor and sacrifice had 
won. In addition, there were among Clark's soldiers a 
few people from the middle Atlantic States. Later immi- 
grants came from all the Atlantic states. 

Following the Avar of 1812, large numbers of immi- 
grants from England came to this country, and not a few 
of these finally reached the rich prairies of Illinois. Ger- 
mans came in groups large enough to constitute neigh- 
borhoods of those sturdy people. 

From 1836 to the Civil War there was a great demand 
in Illinois for laborers, for great improvements were in 
progress in those years. This demand was met by the 
coming of large numbers of English, Irish, Scotch, Dutch, 
Germans, and a few Scandinavians. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



13 



It, is out of these elements that we have produced the 
mini — the real men. To this end everything has con- 
tributed — earth, and air, and sky, and parent stock. It is 
the story of these "real men" which we wish to sketch. 
It is not only the story of battle field, and senate chamber, 
and commercial world, and letters, and courts, and inven- 
tion, we wish to tell, but the story as well of the humbler 
people in the humbler walks of a fast fading pioneer life. 



F 



1 




A Gusher in Crawford County. 



14 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER II. 

THE FRENCH IN THE VALLEY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

22. French Fishermen, 1.504. — It will now be neces- 
sary to give some account of the explorations and settle- 
ments of the French in the valley of the St. Lawrence 
river, and in the lake region, inasmuch as the early his- 
tory of Illinois is inseparably connected with French 
occupancy in North America. 

French fishermen visited the regions around Newfound- 
land as early as 1504, but probably no French explorers 
were here before the coming of A^errazano in 1524. 

23. Cartier. — In 1534 James Cartier sailed into the 
mouth of the St. Lawrence. The next year he sailed up 
the river as far as Quebec and from there proceeded 
inland to the present city of Montreal. Cartier returned 
to France with a very attractive description of the country, 
but nothing was done toward colonization till 1541. At 
this time there was a great demand for sailors and fisher- 
men, and it was with great difficulty that Cartier could 
get enough sailors for his expedition. It seems also that 
it was not easy to induce a better class of people to come 
as colonists. Those who did come are said to have been 
criminals, spendthrifts, bankrupts, debtors, etc. The 
colonists suffered severely in the Canadian winters. Large 
numbers died, and by 1543 all had returned to France. 

24. Work of Champlain. — Nothing more w^as done by 
France to settle the St. Lawrence region till the opening 
of the next century. As early as 1603 Samuel Champlain 
visited the region of the St. Lawrence; and in the summer 
of 1608 he founded a permanent settlement where Quebec 



A Student's History of Illinois 15 

now stands. In the winter following many suffered from 
the extreme cold. Twenty out of twenty-eight died before 
the middle of April, 1609. Fresh colonists arrived in 
June, 1609, and the prospects brightened. 

25. Discovery of Lake Champlain. — June 18, 1609, 
Champlain, accompanied by representatives from the 
Canadian Indians, together with two French soldiers, 
moved up the Sorel river, and explored Lake Champlain. 
They were about ready to return to Quebec, when ]\Iohawk 
Indians, the deadly foe of the Indians with Champlain, 
appeared ready for battle. A battle ensued in which 
Champlain and the two French soldiers used firearms. 
This greatly demoralized the Mohawks and they fled leav- 
ing dead and wounded to the mercy of the Canadian 
Indians. 

The fur trade was becoming very profitable to the 
French and explorations were made by Champlain into 
the surrounding country. On one of these trips he went 
far up the Ottawa river. A trading post was established 
at ]\Iontreal and everything seemed quite favorable to the 
French. 

26. Early French Settlers. — The French colonists, if 
we may call them such, who came to the St. Lawrence 
valley in the early part of the seventeenth century, were 
very different from the settlers who came to the rich 
valleys of Virginia, Maryland, New York, or even those 
who came to the rocky hillsides of New England. The 
English settlers were agriculturists — they were home 
makers. The French cared nothing for such interests. 
There were perhaps three dominant ideas which gave 
direction to the energy of the French in the valley of the 
St. Lawrence. They cared little for freedom in Church or 
State and they never became attached to the soil of the 
New World as did the Anglo-Saxons of the Atlantic 
coast. 



16 .1 Student's History of Illinois 

The three ideas Avhich gave direction to the work of the 
French were: 

1. The love of dominion. The Frenchman luved his 
country. The Lilies of France must be planted upon every 
available foot of unoccupied soil. 

2. The conversion of the Indian. This was a consum- 
ing passion of the priests who came to New France. For 
the accomplishment of this end these missionary priests 
suffered as no other people suffered. They toiled when 
there seemed to others little hope, and sacrificed all when 
others were full of the greed of gain. 

3. The monopoly of the fur trade. For the amassing 
of a fortune, no gold mine in those times could in any way 
compare with the monopoly of the fur trade. 

27. Death of Champlain, 1635. — Champlain died at Que- 
bec December 25, 1635. lie had led a very active life in 
New France. His death seems to have retarded the pro- 
gress of the explorations. But there was another cause. 
The Iroquois Indians of New York were making war on 
the French and Indians of Canada. 

With such vigor did the Iroquois strike terror into the 
hearts of the Huron and Algonquin Indians that explor- 
ation and trade in the Ottawa country were paralyzed. 

This explains the lack of French activity around the 
lakes from 1635 to about 1654. In the latter year the 
French and the Iroquois effected a treaty of peace, and 
quiet and safety were restored. After peace was restored, 
the work of exploration and trade was renewed. 

28. Explorations Resumed, — Two French traders 
known in the history as Groseillier and Radisson, visited 
the Lake Superior region in the years 1659-60 and spent 
considerable time in the region southwest of the western 
end of Lake Superior. At this time the Ilurons lived in 
this locality and from them the two traders learned much 
concerning the country. They returned to Montreal in 



A Student's History of Illinois 17 

1660 with a rich cargo of beaver skins and other furs. As 
soon as they sold out the furs, they organized another 
expedition to the Lake Superior region. 

29. Congress at Sault Ste. Marie. — About the year 
1670 the French began to hear that the EngUsh were 
in the Hudson Bay region. Tlie intendant of Canada, 
wishing to hold the fur trade for New France, commis- 
sioned St. Lusson to hold a congress of Indian chiefs in 
the vicinity of Lake Superior for the purpose of form- 
ing a treaty by which the fur trade around the lakes 
might be secured for the French posts on the St. 
Lawrence. On June 14, 1671, fourteen Indian tribes 
sent representatives to this congress, and with much 
ceremony St. Lusson announced that the King of France 
had taken possession of all the region around the Great 
Lakes and that thenceforth the King of France would 
regard the Indians as children of his especial care. 

30. Count Frontenac. — Courcelles, the French governor 
of Canada, returned to France on account of ill heaUh and 
his place was filled by the appointment of Count Frontenac 
as governor. The new governor arrived in the fall of 
1672 and commenced with energy to push the work of 
explorations. Among these undertakings was one which 
resulted in the discovery of the Mississippi river. 

All the traders and explorers who had mingled with the 
Indians to the west had heard of the great river, and of 
the people who lived along its borders. Wonderful stories 
had come to the officials in Canada of the river, the peo- 
ple, and the country through which the river ran. To 
find this river, discover into what it flowed, and to turn 
to the cause of France the people along its course, was 
therefore the first work of the new governor. 



18 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER III. 

DISCOVERY OP THE MISSISSIPPI BY MARQUETTE 

AND JOLIET. 

31. Frontenac Names Joliet. — For the purpose of car- 
rying out his predecessor's design of discovering the great 
river, Frontenac appointed Louis Joliet to go in search of 
the Mississippi river. 

Joliet was a native of Canada, having been born near 
Quebec in 1645. His education had been received under 
the direction of the Jesuits. 

At the age of 24 he was dispatched to the Lake Superior 
regions to search for copper. About the year 1666 Father 
Marquette arrived from France, and went into the mis- 
sion fields in the region of Lake Superior. He later 
founded the mission of St. Ignace where Mackinaw now 
stands. 

Joliet was directed by Frontenac to proceed to Mack- 
inaw where he would be joined by Father Marquette who 
w^ould represent the church on the expedition while Joliet 
would represent the government. 

The preparations were indeed very simple. Their food 
consisted of Indian corn and dried meat. They left St. 
Ignace with two bark canoes and five French voyageurs, 
May 17, 1673. 

The expedition reached Green Bay about the first of 
June, 1673. Here Father ]\Iarquette preached to the 
Indians. These Indians tried to dissuade him from his 
undertaking, but nothing would now turn him from his 
purpose of visiting the Illinois country. 

32. The Father of Waters.— On June 10, 1673, Mar- 



A Student's History of Illinois 19 

quette, Joliet, and the five Frenchmen, and two Indian 
guides began the journey across the Wisconsin portage. 
They carried their two canoes as well as their provisions 
and other supplies. The portage is a short one, Marquette 
says three leagues long. It was full of small lakes and 
marshes. The portage crossed, they sailed down the Wis- 
consin river and on June the 17th their canoes shot out 
into the broad Mississippi. The voyagers w^ere filled with 
a joy unspeakable. The journey now began down the 
stream without any ceremony. Marquette made accurate 
observations of the lay of the land, the vegetation, and 
the animals. As they moved southward the bluffs became 
quite a marked feature of the general landscape. After 
passing the mouth of the Illinois river, they came to 
unusually high bluffs on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. 
At a point about six miles above the present city of 
Alton, they discovered on the high smooth-faced bluffs a 
very strange object which afterwards came to be known 
as the Piasa Bird. It was supposed to be" a painting of a 
great bird which had killed many Indians in that locality. 




Photograph loaned by Mr. Geo. R. Adams, White Hall, 111. 
The Piasa Monster as Described by Marquette. 



20 . / Student's History of Illinois 

33. Grand Tower. — As IMarquette and Joliet proceeded 
down the river they passed the mouth of the Missouri, 
and when considerably below the mouth of the Kaskaskia 
river they came to a very noted object — at least the 
Indians had many stories about it. This is what we know 
today as the Grand Tower, a great rook in the Mississippi 
which causes a great commotion in the water of the river 
and probably was destructive of canoes in those days. 

On they go down the river past the mouth of the Ohio, 
into the region of semi-tropical sun and vegetation. Near 
Memphis they held councils with the Indians, who told 
the travellers that it was not more than ten days' journey 
to the mouth of the river. They proceeded on down the 
river till thev reached Choctaw Bend, in latitude 33 
degrees and 40 minutes. Here they stopped, held a con- 
ference, and decided to go no further. 

34. The Return.— On the 17th of July, 1673, they 
turned their faces homeward. They had been just two 
months, from ]\lay 17, to July 17, on their journey. They 
had traveled more than a thousand miles. They had 
faced all forms of danger and had undergone all manner 
of hardships. Their provisions had been obtained en route. 
France owed them a debt of gratitude w^hich could never 
be fully paid. Indeed not only France, but the world is 
their debtor. 

When they reached the mouth of the Illinois river, they 
were told by some Indians that there was a much shorter 
route to Green Bay than by way of the upper Mississippi 
and the Wisconsin and Fox portage. This shorter route 
was ui> the Illinois river over the Chicago portage and 
then along Lake ]\Iichigan to Green Bay. 

35. Kaskaskia. — IMarquotte and Joliet proceeded up the 
Illinois river. They halted at the village of the Peoria 
Indians for three days. When in the vicinity of LaSalle, 
thev came to a village of the Kaskaskia Indians. Mar- 



A Student's History of Illinois 21 

quette says there were seventy-four cabins in the village 
and that the Indians received them kindly. They tarried 
but a short time and were escorted from this point up the 
Illinois and over the Chicago portage by one of the 
Kaskaskia chiefs and several young warriors. 

Marquette and Joliet reached Green Bay in the month 
of September, 1673. In the summer of 1674, Joliet 
returned to Quebec to make his report to the governor. 

36. Mission of the Immaculate Conception. — While in 

the village of the Kaskaskias, Marquette told the story of 
the Cross to the natives, and they were so well pleased 
with it that they made him promise to return to teach 
them more about Jesus. Father Marquette remained in 
the mission of St. Francois Xavier through the summer 
of 1674, and late in the fall started on his journey back 
to Kaskaskia. The escort consisted of two Frenchmen 
and some Indians. At the Chicago portage they spent the 
winter because of the ill health of Marquette. 

By the last of March he was able to travel. He 
reached the Kaskaskia village Monday, April 8, 1675. 
lie was received with great joy by the Indians. He estab- 
lished the mission of the Immaculate Conception of the 
Blessed Virgin. Seeing he could not possibly live long, 
he returned by way of the Kankakee portage. He never 
lived to reach Mackinaw. He died the 18th of May, 1675, 
near what is now Ludington, Michigan. 

37. The Result. — This expedition by Marquette and 
Joliet had carried the Lilies of France nearly to the Gulf 
of Mexico. The Indians in the great plains between the 
Great Lakes and the Gulf had been visited and the 
resources of the country noted. There remained but a 
slight strip of territory near the mouth of the Mississippi 
over which the banner of France had not floated. If this 
short distance were occupied, then the French govern- 



22 



A Student's History of Illinois 



ment would have completely .-surrounded the English 
colonies in North America. This is the next movement 
for the French as we shall see. 




Paten, Chalice and Records from the Mission of the Immaculate Conception. 



A Student's History of Illinois 23 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE TRIUMPHS OF CHEVALIER DE LA SALLE, 

38. Fort Frontenac. — Chevalier de La Salle came to 
America in the year 1667. Shortly after arriving in this 
country he established himself as a fur trader at a trading 
post called La Chine, on the island of Montreal. Here he 
came in contact with the Indians from the far west. 
Within two years he had departed on an exploration. For 
the next two or three years he had probably visited the 
Ohio river and had become quite familiar with the coun- 
try to the south and west of the Great Lakes. 

Count Frontenac built a fort on the shore of Lake 
Ontario where the lake empties into the St. Lawrence 
river. La Salle w^as put in charge of this fort. He named 
it Fort Frontenac. In 1674 La Salle went to France and 
while there was raised to the rank of a noble. The King 
was greatly pleased with the plans of La Salle and readily 
granted him the control of Fort Frontenac, together with 
a large quantity of land. For all this La Salle promised 
to keep the fort in repair, to maintain a garrison, to clear 
the land, jjut it in a state of cultivation, and continually 
to keep arms, ammunition, and artillery in the fort, and 
to do all for the ultimate purpose of furthering the 
interests of the French government. 

39. Second Visit to France.— The summer of 1678 
found La Salle again in France with a request that the 
King grant him permission to explore the western part 
of New France and if possible find the mouth of the 
Mississippi river. La Salle had matured plans by which 
New France was to be connected with the Gulf of Mexico 



24 A Student's History of Illinois 

by a line of strong fortifications. Fort Frontenac was the 
first step in this plan. He there explained how easy it 
would be to reach the region of the Great Lakes by the 
St. Lawrence route or by the Mississippi. There is no 
doubt that both Frontenac and La Salle wished to trans- 
fer the emphasis from the conversion of the Indians to 
that of conquest of territory for France, and to the more 
profitable business, as they saw it, of commerce. Fronte- 
nac had therefore strongly endorsed La Salle and his plans. 

The King, Louis XIV, issued a charter to La Salle 
granting him control of all the interior of what is now 
the United States for a period of five years. The governor 
of New France and all royal officers were ordered to assist 
La Salle in his work of exploration. 

While in France La Salle met Henri de Tonty, an 
Italian who had just won distinction in the French army. 
He had lost a hand in one of the campaigns, but he was 
nevertheless a man of great energy, and destined to win 
for himself an honored name in the New World. 

La Salle returned from France in the fall of 1678, 
bringing with him about thirty craftsmen and mariners, 
together with a large supply of military and naval stores. 
It can readily be seen that La Salle would be opposed by 
the merchants and politicians in the region of Quebec and 
Montreal, for his plans would greatly interfere with the 
profitable fur trade which they then controlled. 

40. The Griffin.— Late in the fall of 1678, probably in 
December he sent Captain LaMotte, and sixteen men to 
select a suitable site for the building of a vessel with which 
to navigate the upper lakes. The boat was built probably 
at the mouth of Tonawanda creek just above Niagara 
Falls. Tonty had charge of the building of the vessel. It 
was launched in May, 1679, and was christened the 
Griffin. It was of forty-five to fifty tons burden and car 
ried a complement of five small cannon. 



A Student's History of Illinois 25 

An expedition of traders had been dispatched into the 
Illinois country for the purpose of traffic, in the fall of 

1678. The Griffin weighed anchor August 7, 1679, amid 
the booming of cannon and the chanting of the Te Deum. 
The vessel reached Mackinaw on the 27th of August. 
Here La Salle found some of the men whom he had dis- 
patched the year before to traffic with the Indians. He 
found they had been dissuaded from proceeding to the 
Illinois country by the report that La Salle was visionary 
and that his ship would never reach Mackinaw. Tonty 
was given the task of getting these men together, and 
while he Avas thus engaged. La Salle sailed in the Griffin 
for Green Bay. 

Green Bay had been for several years a meeting place 
between white traders and explorers, and the Indians. 
When La Salle reached the point, he found some of the 
traders whom he had sent ahead the year before. These 
traders had collected from the Pottowatomies large quanti- 
ties of furs. For these furs La Salle exchanged a large 
stock of European goods and it is said that he made a 
large sum of money in this transaction. The Griffin was 
loaded with these furs and made ready to return to the 
warehouses at Niagara. 

41. The Griffin Is Lost. — On September the 18th, the 
Griffin, in charge of a trusted pilot, and five sailors, started 
on the return voyage. La Salle on the 19th of September, 

1679, with a company of fourteen persons, in birch bark 
canoes, loaded with a blacksmith's forge, carpenter's tools, 
merchandise, arms, provision, etc., started on his journey 
for the Illinois country. He coa.<=!ted along the western 
and southern shore of Lake Michigan, and reached the 
mouth of the St. Joseph river November 1, 1679. La Salle 
was anxious to get to the Illinois country, but he also 
desired the help of Tonty, and as the latter had not yet 
arrived, La Salle occupied the time of his men in building 



26 A Student's History of Jlliiiois 

a palisade fort which he named Fort Miami. Near by, 
he erected a bark chapel for the use of the priests, and 
also a storehouse for the goods which the Griffin was to 
bring from Niagara on its return. But the Griffin was 
never heard from after it left Green Bay. 

42. Journey Resumed. — La Salle was now impatient to 
proceed. He ascended the St. Joseph in search of the 
portage between the Kankakee and the St. Joseph. This 
point is supposed to have been near the present city of 
South Bend, Indiana. Here La Salle was joined by Tonti, 
and their two parties crossed the portage of three or four 
miles under great difficulties, dragging their canoes and 
their burdens on sledges. The ice was getting thick and 
a heavy snow storm was raging. By the 6th of December, 
1679, they were afloat on the Kankakee. They passed the 
present site of Ottawa, Starved Rock, and reached the 
Indian Village of Kaskaskia, near the present city of 
Peru. 

After religious services they departed and reached the 
present city of Peoria. Here they found several tribes 
of Indians with whom they stayed several days. 

43. Fort Crevecoeur. — La Salle, fearing the influence 
upon his men of tlie j^tories spread among the Indians, 
by his enemies, decided to separate from them and go 
further down the river where he could construct a fort 
and build a boat. On a projection from the bluffs he built 
with considerable labor a fort which received the name of 
Crevecoeur. This was the fourth of the great chain of 
forts which La Salle had constructed, namely: Fort 
Frontenac at the outlet of Lake Ontario ; Fort Niagara on 
the Niagara river; Fort Miami at the mouth of St. Joseph 
river; and Crevecoeur below Lake Peoria on the Illinois 
river. 

In addition to the building of the fort La Salle began 
the construction of a vessel with which to complete his 



A Student's History of Illinois 27 

journey to the mouth of the Mississippi river. The keel 
was 42 feet long, and the beam was 12 feet. While this 
work was in progress the Indians from the upper Missis- 
sippi brought tempting descriptions of routes to the west- 
ern sea and also the wealth of beaver with which their 
country abounded. 

44. The Final Expedition. — La Salle made a trip to 
Canada for supplies and upon his return he found 
Crevecoeur abandoned. He returned to Green Bay and 
thence to Mackinaw. Here he got together another expe- 
dition and returned to Crevecoeur. Final preparations 
were made, and the journey down the Mississippi river 
begun. The mouth of the river was reached, and on the 
9th of April, 1682, La Salle erected a cross, nailed the 
Coat of Arms of France to a post, and proclaimed the 
Mississippi and all the land it drains the property of his 
King. 

45. The Return.— On the 10th of April, 1682, the party 
began the return journey. La Salle visited each fort on 
his return trip. At Starved Rock he later built Fort 
St. Louis and put Tonti in control while he went to 
France to report to the King. In France he organized an 
expedition to come to the Louisiana territory by way of 
the Mississippi river. He failed to find the mouth of 
the river, and was landed on the coast of Texas, where 
he was later killed by one of his own men. Tonti 
remained at Fort St. Louis till about 1700. The French 
had now begun settlements about Mobile. He then aban- 
doned Fort St. Louis and went to the new settlements 
near the mouth of the great river. Here he lived some 
three or four years, when he died. Tonti, next to La 
Salle, had been the most conspicuous figure in the history 
of the Illinois country since the days of Marquette and 
Joliet. 



28 



A Student's History of Illinois 




French Explorations. 



A Student's History of Illinois 29 



CHAPTER V. 

PERMANENT SETTLEMENTS IN ILLINOIS. 

46. Old and New Kaskaskia.— The Mission of the 
Immaculate Conception at the Indian village of Kaskaskia 
was never a very flourishing mission. However, there 
were priests in attendance most of the time. When the 
French began to plant settlements near Mobile Bay, about 
1 700, the priest in charge of the mission at the Kaskaskia 
village, and the Kaskaskia Indians started down the 
Illinois river expecting to continue their journey down 
the Mississippi to the new settlements. But when they 
reached what is now the head of the Island of Kaskaskia, 
they crossed over the narrow neck which separated the 
Mississippi from the Okaw and settled on the bank of 
the latter stream. Here they founded the first permanent 
settlement in Illinois, the date being 1700. This village 
became the Neiv Kaskaskia. The settlement gTew and 
soon became known by all travelers passing up and down 
the Mississippi. 

47. Grant to Crozat. — The Louisiana country (named 
by lia Salle) did not receive much of the King's atten- 
tion from 1700 to 1712 as France was at war with Eng- 
land, (Queen Anne's War). But in 1712 the King gave 
all Louisiana to a man by the name of Crozat, a rich 
merchant of Paris. Crozat was to open mines and other- 
wise develop the country. He was to give the King one- 
fifth part of all gold, silver, and precious stones. 

Crozat came and began to prospect for minerals. All 
other French traders became jealous of him. They grew 
tired of his monopoly, the English and Spanish did every- 



30 A Student's History of Illinois 

thing they could to cripple his interests, ''and every 
Frenchman in Louisiana was not only hostile to his 
interests, but was aiding and assisting to foment difficulties 
in the colony," Crozat in five years spent 425,000 livres 
and received in return in trade 300,000 livres, a loss of 
125,000 livres in five years. He resigned his grant to the 
crown in 1717. 

48. The Western Company. — It so happened that at the 
time Crozat surrendered his grant to the crown, that there 
was being formed in France a company usually called 
the Western Company. John Law, the great Scotch 
financier, was at the head of this company. Its purpose 
was to re-enforce the finances of France. It was expected 
that large plantations would be begun in Louisiana, mines 
opened, and extensive trade carried on in furs and farm 
products, and large returns were expected to come from 
all this. Emigrants poured into the Louisiana country. 
Over 800 arrived in August, 1717. Law sent 300 slaves 
to the territory; large numbers of French and German 
emigrants were transported to the Mississippi valley. 
Bienville was made governor. He founded New Orleans 
in 1718. In that same vear, December, there arrived 
at Kaskaskia a Lieutenant Boisbriant, with about a hun- 
dred soldiers, with orders to assume military command of 
the Illinois district in the Province of Louisiana. 

49. Fort Chartres. — Boisbriant came as the King's 
military representative with authority to hold the country 
and defend the King's subjects. He was also authorized to 
build a fort. The place selected for the fort was a point 
about sixteen miles to the northwest of Kaskaskia, on the 
alluvial bottoms of the Mississippi river. The structure 
was of wood and was probably made of two rows of ver- 
tical logs filled between with earth. It was named Fort de 
Chartres. Inside the palisaded walls were the officers' 
quarters and a store-house for the Western Company's 



A Student's History of Illinois 31 

goods. Fort Chartres, as constructed by Boisbriant, stood 
for thirty years and was the center of great military, civil, 
and social life. 

The fort was barely done when there arrived Phillipe 
Francois de Renault, a representative of the Company. 
In fact he was Director General of the mining operations 
of the Company. He brought 200 miners, laborers, and a 
full complement of mining utensils. On his way he 
bought in St. Domingo 500 Guinea negroes to work the 
mines and plantations of the province. These were not 
all brought to the Illinois district but many were, and 
this is the origin of slavery in the State of Illinois. 

Renault made Fort Chartres his headquarters, and from 
here he sent his expert miners and skilled workmen in 
every direction hunting for the precious metals. The 
bluffs skirting the American Bottoms on the east were 
diligently searched for minerals, but nothing encouraging 
was found. 

Failing to discover any metals or precious stones, 
Renault turned his attention to the cultivation of the land 
in order to support his miners. 

50. Grant to Renault.— May 10, 1722, the military 
commandant, Lieut. Boisbriant representing the King, 
and Des Ursins representing the Company of the West 
granted to Renault a tract of land abutting or facing on 
the Mississippi, more than three miles wide and extend- 
ing backward northeast into the country six miles. This 
tract contained more than 13,000 acres of land. It reached 
back beyond the bluffs. It is said the grant was made in 
consideration of the labor of Renault's slaves, probably 
upon some work belonging to the government. This 
grant was on the Mississippi three and a half miles above 
Fort Chartres. The village of St. Phillipe was probably 
started before the grant was made, at least the village was 
on the o;rant. 



32 -i Student's History of Illinois 

51. Six French Villages. — Tliere were, probably, as 
early as 1725, six permanent French villages in the Amer- 
ican Bottom, namely: — Cahokia and Kaskaskia, settled 
in the later part of the year 1700, or in the beginning of 
the year 1701; New Chartres, the village about Fort 
Chartres, commenced about the same time the fort was 
erected, 1720; Prairie du Rocher, settled about 1722; St. 
Phillipe, settled very soon after Renault received the grant 
from the Western Company which was 1723 ; and Prairie 
du Pont, settled in the first third of the century. 

The villages were all much alike. They were a strag- 
gling lot of crude cabins, built with little if any reference 
to streets, and constructed with no pretention to archi- 
tectural beauty. The inhabitants were French, and In- 
dians, and negroes. 

52. Industry. — The industrial life of these people con- 
sisted of fishing and hunting, cultivation of the soil, com- 
mercial transactions, and some manufacturing. Wheat 
was grown and the grain ground in crude water mills 
usually situated at the mouths of the streams as they 
emerged from the bluffs. And it is said one ^vind-mi]l 
was erected in the American Bottom. The Indians spun 
the wool of the buffalo, and wove a cloth which they dyed 
black, yellow, or red. 

There was considerable commerce carried on between 
these villages and the mouth of the river. New Orleans 
was established in 1818 and came to be, in a very early 
day, an important shipping point. The gristmills ground 
the Avheat which the farmers raised in the Bottom and the 
flour was shipped in keel boats and flat boats. Thousands 
of deer skins were sent each year to New Orleans. Con- 
siderable lead was early shipped to the mother country. 

The vessels returning up the Mississippi river from New 
Orleans brought the colonists rice, sugar, coffee, manufac- 



A Student's History of Illinois 33 

tured articles of all kinds, tools, implements, and muni- 
tions of war. 

53. Society. — The social life of these people was one 
of pleasure. It is said they passed much of their time in 
singing, dancing, and gaming. The Frenchmen married 
the squaws of the different tribes and this of necessity 
lowered the tone of the social life. The population be- 
came mixed, and consequently degenerated. 

"While they were light hearted they were light headed 
as well, and thriftless; the poorer portion laboring long 
enough to gain a bare subsistence each passing day, the 
rest of the time being spent in sporting, hunting, and wine 
drinking." 

54. The Church.— There was entire harmony with re- 
gard to religious matters. The Indians in most cases were 
regarded as church members. There were churches in all 
the villages except possibly in St. Phillipe. 

55. Education. — Schools were unknown — at least the 
kind of schools we are familiar with. The priests may 
have given some instruction in the rudiments of an edu- 
cation. Certainly something was done in the line of in- 
struction for it is stated that a college was founded in 
Kaskaskia as early as 1721, and in connection a monas- 
tery was erected. 

56. Government. — The government was very simple, 
at least until about 1730. Controversies were few and the 
priest's influence was such that all disputes which arose 
were settled by that personage. Recently, documents have 
been recovered from the courthouse in Chester which 
throw considerable light upon the question of government 
in the French villages. 

57. The Western Company Disbands. — The Company 
realized that its task of developing the territory of 
Louisiana w^as an unprofitable one, and it surrendered the 
charter to the King, and Louisiana became, as we are 



34 



A Student's History of Illinois 



accustomed to say, a royal province by proclamation of 
the King, April 10, 1732. 

58. Efforts Fail. — The two efforts, the one by Crozat 
and the other by the Company of the West had both re- 
sulted in failure so far as profit to either was concerned. 
Crozat had spent 425,000 livres and realized in return only 
800,000 livres. And although a rich man the venture 
ruined him financially. The Company of the West put 
thousands of dollars into the attempt to develop the terri- 
tory for which no money in return was ever received. But 
the efforts of both were a lasting good to the territory itself. 
Possibly the knowledge of the geography of the country 
which resulted from the explorations in search of precious 
metals, was not the least valuable. Among other things, 
these two efforts brought an adventurous class of people 
into Illinois and this put life into the sleepy ongoing of 
priest and parishioner. 




Background: Register of St. Anne Parish from Wl6 to the Present Time. 

Foreground, from left to right: 1. Mission Chalice and Patent; 2. Pyxis, the 
Sacred Vessel in which Holy Communion Was Brought to the Sick. 
3. Baptismal Requisites. 4. Oil Stocks. 5. The Ostensarium. 



A Student's Historv of Illinois 35 



CHAPTER VI. 

ILLINOIS A ROYAL PROVINCE. 

59. The Government. — Tn 1732, the Company of the 
West was relieved of its obligations to develop the Louis- 
iana territory. The King then assumed complete control. 
Louisiana was separated from New France in governmen- 
tal matters, and Illinois was made a dependency of Louis- 
iana. The officers for Louisiana were a governor, an 
intendant, and a royal council, all appointed by the King. 
The governor of Louisiana was to appoint the command- 
ant over the Illinois dependency. 

Shortly after the territory of Louisiana became a royal 
province, the Chickasaw Indians who lived in the region 
of northern Mississippi became very troublesome. These 
Indians opposed the encroachment of the settlements of 
the French upon their territory, and so long as they con- 
trolled the Mississippi river, navigation was dangerous. 
After several years of wasting Avar, the Chickasaws, the 
chief tribe on the lower Mississippi, made peace with the 
French, and later the commerce between the Illinois coun- 
try and the settlements at the mouth of the river grew to 
large proportions. 

60. French in the Ohio Valley. — The French were by 
1750, well settled in Canada, Illinois, and on the lower 
Mississippi. They had never occupied the Ohio valley, 
but in 1749, Celeron De Bienville was sent from Canada 
to lay claim to the Ohio region by depositing lead plates in 
numerous places along that river. A map was made of 
this expedition and public notice given to the English, 
not to allow English traders in this valley. The next year 



36 



A Student's History of Illinois 



Christopher Gist, an agent of the Ohio Land Company, 
was sent into the same territory to make some preparation 
for EngHsh settlements. It was now seen that there 
would be a conflict between the English and French for 
the possession of the Ohio valley, and as a matter of 
preparation the French began renewed activity in the 
building of forts and repairing of old ones. To so great 
an extent was this preparation made by the French that a 
complete line of forts was built between the mouth of the 
St. Lawrence by way of the Great Lakes and the Illinois 
country, to the mouth of the Mississippi river. 

61. Fort. Chartres. — At no place in all the French pos- 
sessions was there so much stress put upon fort-building as 
in the Illinois country. Chevalier de Macarty came to 
Fort Chartres as commandant in 1751. He was a major 
of engineers, and he brought with him instruction from 
the King to rebuild Fort Chartres. The first fort had 
been constructed originally of timbers, the new fort was 
built of stone quarried from the bluffs not far from the 




The Old Powder Magazine in Old Fort Chartres. A Portion of the 

Foundation of the East Wall of the Fort May Be Seen 

to the Right of the Old Building. 



A Student's History of Illinois 37 

l>resent town of Prairie du Rocher, some three and a half 
miles east of the site of the fort. Captain Philip Pittman 
of the Royal Engineers (English) visited the fort in 1766 
or '68 and gives the following description of it : 

The form is an irregular quadrangle, the sides of the exterior 
polygon are four hundred and ninety feet; it is built of stone 
and plastered over . . . the ditch has never been finished; the 
entrance to the fort is through a very handsome rustic gate; 
within the wall is a small banquette raised three feet for the 
men to stand on when they fire through the loopholes. The 
buildings within the fort are, the commandant's and the com- 
missary's houses, the magazine of stores, corps de garde, and 
two barracks; these occupy the square. Within the gorges of 
the bastions are, a powder magazine, a bake house, a prison, 
in the lower floor of which are four dungeons, and in the upper 
floor two rooms, and an outhouse belonging to the commandant. 
62. French and Indian War. — Illinois took a very active 
part in the war between England and France from 1755 
to 1763. The story of Washington's journey to warn the 
French off of territory claimed for the Ohio Company is 
no doubt familiar to all. Washington returned to Vir- 
ginia and gathered up a few soldiers and started to the 
''forks of the Ohio," to protect some workmen sent there 
to construct a fort. A detachment of French under com- 
mand of Jumonville de Villiers was sent out to intercept 
Washington. This little detachment was attacked by 
Washington on May 28, 1754, and Jumonville de Villiers 
was killed and all but one of his party captured. 

Washington retreated to Fort Necessity. Coulon de Vil- 
liers at Fort Duquesne hearing of the death of his brother 
Jumonville was determined to avenge it. Another brother 
Capt. Neyon de Villiers was at this time stationed at Fort 
Chartres, the new fortress on the ]\Iississippi. There were 
at this time 1,000 soldiers stationed at Fort Chartres. Capt. 
Neyon de Villiers was ordered to proceed with all dispatch 
with his company of grenadiers to assist in the destruction 
of ''Monsieur de Wachenston." 



38 yi Student's History of Illinois 

The two brothers, Neyon de ViUiers and Coiilon de Vil- 
liers, with 1,500 soldiers left Fort Duquesne the latter part 
of June, 1754, and on the 3d of July, attacked "Monsieur 
Wachenston" Avho surrendered to the two brothers on the 
4th of July, 1754. Thus Illinois has the distinction of 
furnishing a part of the army which captured the Father 
of his country. 

Not only did Fort Chartres furnish large numbers of 
soldiers in the defense of Fort Duquesne and the Ohio val- 
ley, but the inhabitants of the American Bottom furnished 
large quantities of provisions. Captain Neyon de Villiers 
was engaged in transporting these supplies from Fort 
Chartres to the fort at the forks of the Ohio. 

63. The Treaty of Peace. — But the end came. The 
French King having lost Quebec, signed a treaty by which 
the Province of New France, and all of Louisiana east of 
the Mississippi river was ceded to Great Britain. This was 
the treaty of Paris of 1763. 

64. The Surrender. — The British w^ere slow about tak- 
ing possession of their newly acquired territory. And 
this can be explained by the fact that the Indians led by 
Pontiac were not satisfied to see the British take the posts 
so long held bv their friends, the French, and so thev 
presented all kinds of obstructions to the British who 
were sent to take the posts of Fort Chartres, Vincennes, 
and other stations. St. Ange, the last French commandant 
at Fort Chartres, persuaded Pontiac to withdraw his oppo- 
sition to the British, and Captain Stirling of the 42d 
Highlanders received the surrender of the fort on Octo- 
ber 2, 1765. 

65. St. Louis Founded. — In the winter of 1763-4, Pierre 
Laclede, a rich merchant representing a large fur trading 
company of New Orleans, arrived at Fort Chartres with 
the intention of planting a colony of traders. But on 



A Student's History of Illinois 



39 



reaching the fort and finding that the Illinois country had 
been ceded to the British, and supposing that France still 
held the territory west of the Mississippi, he sought a good 
point on that side of the river for a trading station, and 
thus was Saint Louis founded, February, 1764. 




A Bird's-Eye View of the Village of Prairie du Rocher as It Appears 
Today. The Oldest Town in Illinois. 



40 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHA.PTER VII. 

THE BRITISH IN THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY. 

66. A Brief Survey. — Reynolds in his Pioneer History 
says that the French villages, at the close of the French 
and Indian war, enjoyed the greatest prosperity which 
they ever attained. Kaskaskia was now a city of 2,500 
people and was the center of business, wealth, and culture. 
Indeed it was called the Paris of the West. All these 
French villages or settlements had been granted com- 
mons; besides, many private grants had been made. 

The crops were raised in the common field. This field 
had a fence about it but there were no fences around the 
individual's crops within. The farming implements were 
very crude. The plows were wooden with a piece of iron 
fastened to the point. The settlers plowed with oxen, 
fastening the yoke to the horns instead of over the neck 
as we have been accustomed to see. The carts or wagons 
were constructed wholly of wood, while the harness was 
made of rawhide. 

The houses were low, one story buildings. They were 
made by setting posts up endwise and filling in between 
with mud, stone, and grasses. The outside and inside 
were usually whitewashed. This gave the homes a neat 
appearance. The roofs were thatched with long prairie 
grasses, and are said to have lasted longer than those made 
of shingles. There were a few glass windows, but all 
were hung on hinges like doors. 

In the days of French ascendancy in the Illinois, the 
styles and fashions of Paris found their way to Kaskaskia 
by way of New Orleans without much delay. The French 



A Student's History of Illinois 41 

people were naturally gay in their spirit and they enjoyed 
the fashionable things from the mother country. 

Hunting was not only a sport but in some sense a busi- 
ness. The hunters had trails from Kaskaskia to all the 
points across the State. There were trails from Kaskaskia 
to Vincennes, to Fort Massac, to Cahokia, and possibly to 
the saltworks near Shawneetown. Buffaloes were plenti- 
ful and furnished much food, while small game was also 
taken in large quantities. 

In the earliest part of the eighteenth century there was 
little use for money. All exchange was of the articles 
themselves. Beaver skins were current money wherever 
one person owed another. Later the coins of France and 
Spain circulated freely. Paper money was plentiful dur- 
ing the supremacy of the Company of the West but later 
the coins came into use. 

There were few skilled laborers, such as blacksmiths, 
carpenters, and masons. The most desirable mechanic was 
the gunsmith. Stone was extensively used, large quanti- 
ties being found in the "bluffs" near. Some lime was 
burned and stone masons were often in demand. 

67. The Proclamation of 1763. — The treaty of peace by 
which the Illinois country was transferred to Great Britain 
was signed February 10, 1763. By this treaty there came 
into the possession of the British government East and 
West Florida, New France, and all of Louisiana east of the 
Mississippi river excepting the Isle of Orleans. On Octo- 
ber 7, 1768, King George III., put forth a proclamation 
which had for its purpose a designation of provinces and 
the manner of their government. 

What is now the State of Illinois fell in the Indian 
country. The proclamation forbade the King's governors 
east of the Alleghanies to allow any colonists to settle west 
of the mountains. It also provided that the French al- 



42 ^-1 Student's History of Illinois 

ready in the Illinois country must take the oath of 
allegiance to the British government or leave the territory. 

68. The British Flag. — Upon the arrival at Fort 
Chartres of Captain Stirling, the Lilies of France were 
taken down and the English banner was run up on the 
fort. The sight of the British ensign was a new one for 
the inhabitants of the Illinois country. They had, accord- 
ing to the treaty, eighteen months to decide what they 
would do — stay or go. Many of them took their de- 
parture, taking their personal property including their 
slaves. Nearly the entire village of New Chartres, number- 
ing forty families, left in a body. Only one man was left 
at St. Phillipe. Thus one-third of the French inhabitants 
left the Illinois country. 

69. The English Commandants. — The officer in com- 
mand of the post at Fort Chartres was known as the com- 
mandant of the Illinois territory. The following is a 

list of those British officers who served in that capacity : 

Captain Thomas Stirling 1765 

Major Robert Farmer Fraser 1765-1766 

Colonel Edward Cole 1766-1768 

Colonel John Reed 1768-1768 

Lieut. Col. John Wilkins 1768-1771 

Captain Hugh Lord 1771-1775 

Captain Matthew Johnson 1775-1776 

Chevalier de Rocheblave 1776-1778 

70. Civil Government. — There were eight different 
English officers in command of the Illinois country from 
1765 to 1778. They were primarily military command- 
ants, but they exercised all the governmental authority 
(hat was in force in the territory — or at least the earlier 
commandants did so. The inhabitants were very loud 
in their condemnation of the oppressions of the military 
commandants, and they frequently made complaints to 
those in authority but with no relief. These complaints 
must have eventually borne fruit, for upon the coming 



A Student's History of Illinois 43 

of Colonel Wilkins as commandant in 1768, he brought 
an order from his superior for the establishment of a 
fiivil court. He appointed seven judges who should hold 
court for the adjustment of civil cases. The law in force 
was the common law of England. Trial by jury was one 
feature of the administration of justice. The French in- 
liabitants had never been accustomed to this system and 
they complained long and loud about the jury system. 

71. Fort Chartres Abandoned.— In 1772 the Missis- 
sippi flooded the bottom lands and did much damage. 
Among other things the current of the main channel 
came so near Fort Chartres that one end of the structure 
was undermined. The commandant shortly after moved 
his garrison to Kaskaskia and left the fortress to the bats 
and owls, the snakes and creeping vines. It was never 
afterwards used for military purposes. 

Captain Lord who was in command at Kaskaskia when 
the Revolution arv war be2;an was ordered in 1775 or 1776 
to proceed with all his troops to Detroit. He seems to 
have turned the control of the British interest in the Illi- 
nois country over to one Philip Francois de Rastel, 
Chevalier de Rocheblave. This gentleman was, as his 
name indicates, a Frenchman. He had been a prominent 
character in the Illinois country. On the coming of the 
British in 1765, he took the oath of allegiance and was 
now a full fledged British subject. 

Now that there were no British troops left, the defense 
of the country must depend upon the militia. There 
were fairly well organized militia companies in all the 
villages. This was the state of affairs in 1778 when George 
Rogers Clark made his appearance in the French village 
of Kaskaskia. 



44 



A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER VHT. 

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK CAPTURES KASKASKIA. 

72. Early Kentucky Settlers. — In spite of the British 
proclamation of 1763, which warned American colonists 
against settling in the Illinois country, bold pioneers 
pushed their way into the country to the west of the 




Gen. George Rogers Clark. 



AUeghanies. These hardy settlers came from Georgia, 
the Carolinas, Virginia and some from the middle states. 
Daniel Boone and others explored the central portion 
of Kentucky as early as 1769, though it is stated the first 
home built was a log cabin in the town of Harrodsburg 



A Student's History of Illinois 45 

in 1774, It is also affirmed that the first fort was built by 
Daniel Boone at Boonesboro in 1775. Evidently there 
were more settlers in the country than these two state- 
ments would indicate. George Rogers Clark first came to 
Kentucky in the early part of 1775. 

At a meeting of all the settlers at Harrodstown June 6, 

1776, George Rogers Clark and Gabriel Jones were elected 
delegates to the A^irginia legislature. They started imme- 
diately for Williamsburg, but the session had closed before 
they reached the capital. Clark proceeded alone, and 
found Governor Patrick Henry sick at his home. 

73. Help from Virginia. — Clark laid before Governor 
Henry the necessity of making some proivsion for the de- 
fense of the Kentucky people against the Indians. The 
matter was placed before the Governor's council and it 
was decided to ''lend" Clark 500 pounds of powder. Clark 
remained in Williamsburg for the fall sitting of the legis- 
lature and succeeded in getting Kentucky organized as a 
county in Virginia. He then returned to Kentucky, in 

1777, and was now convinced that the attitude of the In- 
dians toward the western settlers was largely the result of 
the influence of the British at Detroit, Vincennes, and 
Kaskaskia; so he conceived the bold undertaking of 
capturing these posts and thus relieve the Kentucky set- 
tlers of this menace. Preparatory to a final movement 
he sent two spies, Benjamin Linn and Samuel Moore, to 
Kaskaskia to determine the condition of the defenses, the 
attitude of the French people toward the Americans, and 
the part the Indians were taking in the conflict. The spies 
returned with an abundance of information. 

74. Clark's Plans.— -In October, 1777, Clark laid his 
plans before the Governor of Virginia and a few confi- 
dential friends, among whom were George Mason, and 
Thomas Jefferson. All were enthusiastic for carrying out 



46 . / Student's History of Illinois 

the plans, and the necessary measures were pushed 
through the legislature. 

Clark was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel, and 
having received 1,200 pounds in depreciated currency, 
proceeded immediately to Pittsburg, from which point his 
expedition was to start, February 4, 1778. Enough troops 
were to be enlisted to cope with any force the British might 
have in the Illinois country. 

While Clark was trying to recruit troops around Pitts- 
burg, word came to him that Kentucky was succeeding 
admirably in raising troops for the defense of their homes. 
Clark left Pittsburg with three companies. 

He arrived at Corn Island opposite Louisville, without 
incident. Here he halted and built a fort, and was joined 
by some of the companies from out of Kentucky. A por- 
tion of these deserted him when they discovered the real 
object of his expedition. 

75. The Army.— On the 24th of June, 1778, he left his 
little fort on the Island and shot the rapids of the Ohio 
while the sun was in a total eclipse. Clark had now^ only 
four companies wdth him. They were commanded by 
Captains John Montgomery, Joseph Bowman, Leonard 
Helm, and Wm. Harrod. The force probably did not ex- 
ceed 180 men. Colonel Clark was disappointed in the 
size of his army and was forced to change his plans. It 
was his intention to attack A^incennes first, but on account 
of the fact that he had fewer than half as many soldiers 
as he expected, he concluded to attack Kaskaskia. 

76. Clark Lands Near Fort Massac. — Clark reached the 
mouth of the Tennessee the latter part of June. Here he 
captured one John Duff and a party of hunters, who had 
lately come from Kaskaskia. These hunters professed a 
desire to go with Clark on this campaign. Clark proceeded 
to the mouth of a small creek, or as he calls it a ''gully" a 
short distance above Fort Massac and there disembarked. 



A Student's History of Illinois A7 

His men provided themselves with four days' rations, but 
it was a six days' journey, and Captain Bowman says they 
marched two days without any sustenance, and Clark 
says that game was scarce. 

77. The Route to Kaskaskia. — There is considerable 
local interest as to the route Clark took from Fort Massac 
to Kaskaskia. The distance on a straight line is less than 
100 miles. But by any route which Clark could have 
taken the distance was not less than 110 or 120 miles. 
Without doubt Clark's army went northwest from Fort 
Massac, keeping between the ponds and swamps which 
drain into Big Bay creek on the right and those which 
border the Cache river on the left. This route passed out 
of Massac county at the extreme northwestern corner, in 
Sec. 5, Town 14 S., R. 3 E. It probably led over the hill 
upon which Indian Point is situated (An old road long 
since abandoned can be seen here). From Indian Point 
the route ran about two miles west of Vienna, Johnson 
county, a couple of miles east of the thriving village of 
Buncombe, thence over the Ozarks through Buffalo Gap 
which is at least 150 feet lower than the rest of the Ozarks, 
on through Goreville leaving Marion to the right and 
joining the Golconda route at Bainbridge 3% miles west 
of Marion, Williamson county. 

78. Lost in a Prairie. — Clark's memoirs state that the 
third day from Fort Massac the guides got lost and there 
were some who thought they had turned traitor to their 
trust. Clark told the principal g-uide, one John Saunders, 
that if he did not find the "Hunter's Road" which led into 
Kaskaskia from the east that he would have him put to 
death. This probably meant that Clark knew they ought 
to reach the Golconda road at the end of the third day. 
The guide found the road and the army was probably soon 
encamped the third night out, near the town of Bain- 
bridge. The first night the camping ground was probably 



48 



A Student's History of Illinois 




Based on map in Vol. 8, Historic Highways. 
Com tfsy and permission of the Arthur H. Clark Co., I'ulihshers, 

Cleveland, Ohio. 

Map Showing Gen. Clark's Route from Fort Massac to Kaskaskia 
and from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. 



on Indian Point, eighteen, miles from Fort Massac. The 
second night's camp was at a spring two miles north of 
Pulley's Mill, and twenty miles north of Indian Point. 
The third day, owing to getting lost they did not make 
more than twelve miles of progTess. 

On the fourth day the little army moved west and a 
little north and crossed Oral) Orchard creek northeast of 
Carbondale three miles. Big Muddy was crossed at the 
northwest corner of Town 9 S., R.l.W. — four miles due 
ea.«t of Murphysboro. From the crossing of Big Muddy 
to Ava, thence to Campbell Hill in the northwest corner 
of Jackson county. From here by Shiloh Hill, and Wine 



A Student's History of Illinois 49 

Hill, crossing St. Mary's river at Bremen Station, all in 
Randolph. The fourth night out they probably camped 
six or eight miles northwest of Murphysboro, and the fifth 
night at St. Mary's river. The next day which was the 
4th of July, was their sixth day out. They reached the 
outskirts of Kaskaskia early in the evening. 

79. The Surprise. — As soon as night came on the army 
moved west and reached the Kaskaskia river about a mile 
above the town. On the east side of the river they found 
a farm house in which was a large family. From this 
family it was learned that the militia had been called out 
the day before but finding no cause for alarm, they had 
dispersed. Boats were secured and the army rowed to the 
west side of the Kaskaskia. Clark says this took two hours. 

It was now as late as ten or eleven o'clock in the night. 
Clark divided his army into two divisions, one of which 
was to scatter through the town and keep the people in 
their houses, and the other, which Clark himself com- 
manded, was to capture the commander, Chevalier de 
Rocheblave, who was asleep in the old monastery then 
used as the Commandant's headquarters. In a very short 
time the task was finished and the people disarmed. The 
Virginians and Kentuckians were in the meantime keep- 
ing up an unearthly yelling, for the people of Kaskaskia 
had understood that Virginians were more savage than 
the Indians had ever been, and Clark was desirous that 
they should retain this impression. The French of Kas- 
kaskia called the Virginians ^'Long Knives." 

80. Confusion. — On the morning of the 5th, the princi- 
pal citizens were put in irons. Shortly after this Father 
Gibault and a few aged men came to Clark and begged the 
privilege of holding services in the church, that they 
might bid one another good bye before they were separated. 
Clark gave his permission. The church bell rang and 
immediately every one who could get to the church did so. 



50 



A Student's History of Illinois 



At the close of the service Father Gibault came again with 
some old men to beg that families might not be sepa- 
rated and that they might be privileged to take some of 
their personal effects with them for their support. Clark 
then explained to the priest that Americans did not make 
war on women and children, but that it was only to pro- 
tect their own wives and children that they had come to 
this stronghold of British and Indian barbarity. He went 
further and told them that the French King and the 
Americans had just made a treaty of alliance, and that it 
was the desire of the King that the French in Illinois 
should join their interests with the Americans. This had 
a wonderfully conciliatory effect upon the French. And 
now Clark told them they were at perfect liberty to con- 
duct themselves as usual. His influence had been so 
powerful that they were all induced to take the oath of 
allegiance to the State of Virginia. Their arms were given 
back to them and a volunteer company of French militia- 
men was formed. 




Starved Rock. The Site of Old Fort St. Louis. 



A Student's History of Illinois 51 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE BRITISH FLAG LOWERED AT CAHOKIA 
AND VINCENNES. 

81. Capture of Cahokia. — Kaskaskia was captured on 
July 4, 1778. On the 5th of July, an expedition was 
planned for the capture of Cahokia. Captain Bowman 
with his company and a detachment of the French militia 
under French officers together with a number of Kaskaskia 
citizens made up the army. The distance was sixty miles 
and tiie trip was made by the afternoon of the 6th. At 
first the people of Cahokia were greatly agitated and cried 
"Long Knives!" "Long Knives!" But the Kaskaskia 
citizens soon quieted them and explained what had hap- 
pened at Kaskaskia only two days before. The oath 
of allegiance was administered to the people and the 
citizens returned to Kaskaskia. 

82. Father Gibault. — For the first few days Clark and 
his men talked about the fort at the Falls of the Ohio 
and of a detachment of soldiers they were expecting from 
there every day. This was done for the purpose of making 
an impression upon the people of Kaskaskia. Clark was 
a shrewd diplomatist as well as a good soldier. By con- 
versation Clark learned that the priest was the regular 
shejDherd of the flock at Vincennes. Clark therefore talked 
of his expedition against Vincennes from the fort at the 
Falls of the Ohio. Father Gibault then told Clark that 
while the post at Vincennes was a very strong one and 
that there were usually many Indians about that place, 
that just at this time, the Lieutenant Governor or com- 
mandant, Edward Abbot, was not at Vincennes but was 
in Detroit. He also told Clark that there were no soldiers 



52 A Student's History of Illinois 

there except probably a few citizen-officers and that he 
had no doubt if the people there knew the real nature of 
the conflict between England and the colonies, and that 
France had joined against the hated British, there would 
be no opposition to Clark. The priest further suggested 
that he himself would head an embassy to Post Vincennes 
for the purpose of attempting to secure the allegiance of 
the people there to the American cause. 

An expedition was immediately planned. The priest 
was accompanied by a citizen of Kaskaskia, Doctor John 
Baptiste Lafont. The two gentlemen were accompanied 
by several attendants, among whom was a spy who had 
secret instructions from Clark. 

They departed the 14th of July, and reached Vincennes 
safely. The priest had no difficulty in making it clear to 
the people that France was on the side of the Americans ; 
and the Vincennes villagers all took the oath of allegiance 
to Virginia. They also organized a militia compaiiv and 
took possession of the fort over which the flag of Vir- 
ginia floated much to the wonder of the Indians. 

On August 1, Father Gibault and his companions 
returned to Kaskaskia and reported the success of their 
mission. 

83. Reorganization of the Army. — Clark was busy just 
then reorganizing his little army. The term of enlistment 
of the soldiers was drawing to a close. He succeeded in 
re-enlisting about a hundred of his little army while the 
rest were to be mustered out at the Falls of the Ohio, their 
places being filled with enlistments from the French 
jnilitia. 

84. County of Illinois. — The People of Virginia were 
soon aware of the success of the Clark expedition. The 
common people were of course greatly surprised, and the 
officials w^ho had stood back of the enterprise were greatly 
relieved and delighted. 



A Student's History of Illinois S3 

In October, 1778, the legislature of Virginia created 
the County of "Illinois" which included all the territory 
north and west of the Ohio river. 

In accordance with the provisions of the law creating 
the county of Illinois west of the Ohio river, the Governor 
of Virginia, Patrick Henry, appointed John Todd, Esq., 
a judge of the Kentucky court, as county lieutenant or 
commander-in-chief of the newly created county. 

85. Vote of Thanks.— The ''house of delegates," which 
was the lower branch of the legislature, shortly after the 
creation of the county of Illinois took the following action : 

In the House of Delegates. 

Monday, the 23d Nov., 1778. 

Whereas, authentic information has been received that Lieu- 
tenant Colonel George Rogers Clark, with a body of Virginia 
militia, has reduced the British posts in the western part of this 
commonwealth on the river Mississippi and its branches, where- 
by great advantage may accrue to the common cause of Amer- 
ica, as well as to this commonwealth in particular: 

Resolved, That the thanks of this house are justly due to the 
said Colonel Clark and the brave officers and men under his 
command, for their extraordinary resolution and perseverance in 
80 hazardous an enterprise, and for their important services to 
their country. E. Randolph. 

Attest: C. H. D. 

86. Loss of Vincennes. — Captain Helm was sent to take 
possession of Vincennes about the middle of August. 
By November or earlier, word had reached Detroit that 
Captain Helm was in possession of the fort at Vincennes. 
An expedition was planned under the command of Lieu- 
tenant Governor Henry Hamilton, to retake the fort. 
He reached Vincennes December 18, 1778. Captain Helm 
surrendered the fort without any effort at defense because 
the French militiamen deserted him upon the approach 
of Col. Hamilton's army. 

87. Services of Vigo. — Word soon reached Colonel Clark 
of the loss of Vincennes, and he now felt himself in a very 



54 A Student's History of Illinois 

perilous situation. Vincennes was lost, Virginia had 
not sent him a dollar with which to purchase supplies, the 
money he had was of no value, the Indians from the 
Canadian border were making their appearance round 
Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and discouragement stared him 
in the face. 

In this extremity a real patriot came upon the scene. 
This man was Colonel Francis Vigo, a rich merchant of 
St. Louis. Colonel Vigo proffered to go to Vincennes to 
see what the situation was. He was captured and would 
have been severely punished by Hamilton if it had not 
been for fear of the French, Indians, and Spanish, all of 
whom were great friends to Vigo. He was released and 
returned to St. Louis, and immediately came to Kaskaskia 
to inform Colonel Clark of the true situation. This was 
that Hamilton had a strong detachment of soldiers at Fort 
Sackville with cannon and plenty of munitions of war. 
Vigo also reported that the French inhabitants were quite 
favorable to the American cause and would render any 
assistance they could. And again Vigo reported that just 
as soon as the spring season opened that Colonel Hamilton 
was intending to attack Colonel Clark at Kaskaskia. 

A conference was called of all the officers then around 
Kaskaskia. Captain Bowman came from Cahokia with 
his small force of soldiers and the first impulse Avas to get 
ready for a siege if Colonel Hamilton should attack. This 
plan was finally abandoned, for Colonel Clark said — ''If I 
do not take Hamilton he will take me." 



A Student's History of Illinois 55 



CHAPTER X. 

CLARK'S CAPTURE OF VINCENNES. 

88. Preparation. — Vigo reported to Colonel Clark on the 
29tli of January. Clark was ready to move by the 6th 
of February, 1779. Everything in the village of Kas- 
kaskia was activity. "The Avhole country took fire with 
alarm ; and every order was executed with cheerfulness by 
every description of the inhabitants — preparing provisions, 
encouraging volunteers, etc., and as we had plenty of 
stores, every man was completely rigged with what he 
could desire to withstand the cold weather. To convey 
our artillery and stores, it was concluded to send a vessel 
round by water, so strong that she might force her way. 
A large Mississippi (keel) boat was immediately purchased, 
and completely fitted out as a galley, mounting two four- 
pounders and four large swivels. She was manned by 
forty-six men under command of Capt. John Rogers." 
This vessel, "The Willing," was to sail down the Missis- 
sippi, up the Ohio, and thence up the Wabash as far 
as the mouth of the White river and there wait for word 
from the overland expedition. 

The little army consisted of 170 men. One company 
of French militiamen from Cahokia was in charge of 
Captain McCarty. Another French company from 
Kaskaskia was commanded by Captain Charleville. 
Captains Bowman, Williams, and Worthington com- 
manded the Virginians. The route they took is said to 
have been the old trail from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. 
Reynolds says it was laid out by the Indians nearly a 
hundred years before Clark made use of it. 



56 A Student's History of Illinois 

89. The Route. — The route, as laid down in volume 8 of 
"Historic Highways," starts from Kaskaskia and goes 
northeast to Diamond Point, some four or five miles from 
Kaskaskia. From Diamond Point northeasterly to 
Sparta in Randolph county. Thence to the southeast of 
Coulterville about a mile, thence to Nashville in Wash- 
ington county. From here the trail ran easterly and 
crossed the Illinois Central within a mile north of Rich- 
view. The corner of Jefferson was crossed and Walnut 
Hill in the southwestern corner of Marion was passed. 
From Walnut Hill in a nearly straight line to Xenia, Clay 
county. 

From here the route follows almost exactly the Balti- 
more and Ohio Southwestern Railroad to Lawrenceville, 
leaving Olney to the north probably two miles. From 
Lawrenceville the army turned south and followed the 
Embarras river on the southwest side, crossing the Wabash 
about two miles south of St. Francisville. From here the 
route went east bearing toward the north till they reached 
Chimney Rock or what Clark called the Second Mamelle, 
now called Chimney Pier. From here nearly due north 
to the village of Vincennes. (See map of Clark's routes.) 

90. An Unparalleled Story. — The story of the hardships, 
and the extreme suffering from cold and hunger which 
this little army endured, will ever be a tale with which to 
stir the patriotic blood of all loyal Illinoisans. 

When they reached the Little Wabash they found the 

river greatly swollen by recent rains. The overflowed 

lands were three miles wide. Here they built a crude boat 

in which they ferried their baggage across the stream. 

Colonel Clark in telling about this incident says: 

This (flood) would have been enough to have stopped any set 
of men not in the same temper that we were. But in three 
days we contrived to cross by building a large canoe, ferried 
across the two channels; the rest of the way we waded build- 



A Student's History of Illinois 57 

ing scaffolds at each side to lodge our baggage on until the 
horses crossed to take them. 

On the 16th of February the army crossed Fox river 
which runs southward just a mile or so west of Olney. 
They pushed forward through rain and mud and reached 
the Embarras river in the afternoon of the 17th. Here 
the}' were within about eight or nine miles of Vincennes 
but all the lowland between the Embarras river and the 
Wabash was flooded and no boats could be found in which 
to cross. Here the army turned south and traveled along 
the west side of the Embarras hunting a dry spot on which 
to camp. Captain Bowman says they "traveled till 8 
o'clock in mud and water" before a camping spot could 
be found. "18th — At daybreak heard Hamilton's morn- 
ing gun. (They were then ten miles southwest from 
Vincennes). Set off and marched down the river 
(Embarras) , saw some fine land. About two o'clock came 
to the bank of the Wabash." 

Here they spent the next three days building rafts, 
digging canoes, and trying to cross the Wabash. The 
food was all gone. On the 21st the army was ferried over. 
They landed on the east side of the Wabash and rested 
on a little knob called "The Mamelle." From here they 
plunged into the water and made toward the next 
"Mamelle" about three miles eastward. Here the little 
army stayed over night and on the morning of the 22nd 
of February, they moved northward through water to 
their waists and even to their shoulders. Clark says — 
"Getting about the middle of the plain, the water about 
mid-deep, I found myself sensibly failing, and as there 
were no trees nor bushes for the men to support them- 
selves by, I feared that many of the most weak would be 
drowned . . . Getting to the woods where the men 
expected land, the water was up to my shoulders, but gain- 
ing the woods was of great consequence; all of the low 



58 A Student's History of Illinois 

men and the weakly hung to the trees, and floated on old 
logs, until they were taken off by the canoes. The strong 
and tall got ashore and built fires. Many would reach the 
shore and fall with their bodies half in the water not 
being able to support themselves without it." 

91. Attacking the Fort. — After two or three days the 
little army came to the town and attacked the fort. Colonel 
Clark asked Hamilton to surrender but received this reply : 

"Governor Hamilton begs leave to acquaint Colonel 
Clark, that he and his garrison are not to be awed into any 
action unworthy British subjects." The firing was renewed 
so vigorously that Hamilton surrendered the afternoon of 
the 25th of February, 1779. Much provisions and muni- 
tions fell into Clark's hands. The British officers were 
sent to Virginia as prisoners, while the soldiers were 
returned to Canada. 

92. Clark's Future. — Colonel Clark desired very much 
to attack Detroit, but after considerable delay he decided 
to return to Kaskaskia. Before leaving Vincennes he 
made treaties with the neighboring Indians. He appointed 
Captain Helm as civil commandant. Lieutenant Brashear 
was made military commander at the fort, and was given 
forty soldiers for that duty. Colonel Clark and the 
remainder of his army departed March 20, 1779, for 
Kaskaskia on the galley the ''Willing," accompanied by 
ail armed flotilla of seven vessels. The trip down the 
Wabash and Ohio and up the Mississippi to Kaskaskia 
was Avithout incident. Clark reached Kaskaskia about the 
latter part of March. 

Clark returned to Vincennes in July of the same year 
expecting to find troops from Kentucky and Virginia for 
the Detroit expedition. He was disappointed. He 
attempted to recruit soldiers for the Detroit campaign in 
the region of the Ohio but a letter from Jefferson who 
was now governor of ^^irginia requested him to construct 



A Student's History of Illinois 59 

a fort below the mouth of the Ohio. Accordingly he 
undertook this enterprise and by June, 1780, Fort Jef- 
ferson, a few miles below the mouth of the Ohio on the 
Kentucky side, was completed. It is said that some of 
the cannon were removed there from the abandoned forti- 
fications of Fort Chartres. The ruins of Fort Jefferson, 
just below the town of Wycliff'e, Ky., may be seen today. 
In the fall of 1780, Clark was at Fort Pitt trying to fit 
out his expedition for Detroit. In January, 1781, we 
find Colonel Clark acting in conjunction with Baron 
Steuben in repelling the attacks of Benedict Arnold upon 
Virginia. In December, 1781, Clark was at the Falls of 
the Ohio with an army of 750 men. Later he was engaged 
in an expedition against the Indians on the Miami river. 
He never led his expedition against Detroit. In the sum- 
mer of 1783, he received the following communication: 

93. Dismissed. — In Council, July 2, 1783. 

Sir: — The conclusion of the war, and the distressed situation 
of the State, with regard to its finances, call on us to adopt the 
most prudent economy. It is for this reason alone, I have come 
to a determination to give over all thought, for the present, of 
carrying on an offensive war against the Indians, which, you 
will easily perceive, will render the services of a general officer 
in that quarter unnecessary, and will, therefore consider your- 
self out of command. But, before I take leave of you, I feel 
myself called upon, in the most forcible manner, to return you 
my thanks, and those of my council, for the very great and 
singular service you have rendered your country, in wresting 
so great and valuable a territory from the hands of the British 
enemy; repelling the attacks of their savage allies, and carry- 
ing on a successful war in the heart of their country. This 
tribute of praise and thanks so justly due, I am happy to com- 
municate to you, as the united voice of the Executive. 

I am, with respect, sir. 

Yours, etc., 

Benjamin Harbison. 
"He was no longer the same man as the conqueror of 
Kaskaskia, and the captor of Vincennes. His mind was 



60 



A Student's History of Illinois 



wounded by the neglect of the government of Virginia 
to settle his accounts. Private suits were brought against 
him for public supplies, which ultimately swept away his 
fortune, and with this injustice the spirit of the hero fell, 
and the general never recovered the energies whicli 
stamped him as one of nature's noblemen." 

He spent the later years of his life near Louisville, 
Kentucky. He was completely broken in his bodily frame 
as a result of years of hard exposure. Rheumatism which 
ended with paralysis terminated his life in 1818. He was 
buried at Locust Grove near Louisville. 




A View of Old Fort MassaCv 



A Student's History of Illinois 61 



CHAPTER XI. 

ILLINOIS COUNTY, VIRGINIA— THE NORTH WEST 

TERRITORY. 

94. John Todd, County Lieutenant. — By virtue of the 
authority of the act of the Virginia legislature of October, 

1778, Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia, and by virtue 
of that position the first governor of Illinois, appointed 
Colonel John Todd lieutenant-commandant of the county 
of Illinois. 

Colonel Todd did not come to Illinois county till May, 

1779. Clark had returned from his campaign, and cap- 
ture of Vincennes. It is stated that Colonel Todd was 
received with great joy by the citizens of Kaskaskia. He 
was no stranger to many about the village for he had 
come with Clark in the campaign of 1778, when the 
Illinois country was captured from the British. On June 
15, 1779, he ordered that no more settlements should be 
made in the bottom lands, and further that each person 
to whom grants had been made must report his claim to 
the proper officer and have his land recorded. 

95. Todd's Instruction. — Patrick Henry, governor of 
Virginia, made out Colonel Todd's commission and in 
addition gave him a lengthy letter of instructions. Todd 
was directed — 

To cultivate the affection of the French and Indians. 

To impress the people with the value of liberty. 

To guarantee an improved jurisprudence. 

To consult and advise with the most intelligent and 
upright persons who might fall in his way. 



62 A Student's History of Illinois 

To hold the property of the Indians, particularly the 
land, inviolable. 

To cultivate the good will and confidence of the Spanish 
commandant and his people at St. Louis. 

To see that the wife of Chevalier de Rocheblave should 
have restored to her the property of which she was bereft 
when her husband was sent a prisoner to Williamsburg. 

To subordinate the military to the civil authority. 

To encourage trade. 

And to carry out the above principles with "unwearied 
diligence." 

96. Executing the Law. — Colonel Todd found enough 
work to keep him busy and it is doubtful if if was all as 
pleasant as he might have wished. The records 
which he kept, show that severe penalties were inflicted in 
those days. On page 18 of the records of his office we find 
the following : 

Illinois to-wit: to Richard Winston, Esq., Sheriff-in-Chief of 
the District of Kaskaskia. 

Negro Manuel, a Slave in your custody, is condemned by the 
court of Kaskaskia, after having made honorable Fine at the 
door of the church, to be chained to a post at the Water Side, 
and there to be burnt alive and his ashes scattered, as appears 
to me by Record. 

This sentence you are hereby required to put in execution on 
Tuesday next at 9 o'clock inthe morning, and this shall be your 
warrant. 

Given under my hand and seal at Kaskaskia the 13th day of 
June (1779) in the third year of the commonwealth. 

Jno. Todd. 

97. Todd's Death. — In August, 1782, he was tempo- 
rarily in Lexington, Ky., when an attack was made on 
the town by Indians. The retreating redskins were pur- 
sued, and at the Battle of Blue Licks, fought August 18, 
1782, Todd was killed. 

There was a deputy county-lieutenant or deputy-com- 
mandant in each village, and when Colonel Todd was 



A Student's History of Illinois 63 

absent, the reins of government were in the hands of one 
of these deputies. On the occasion of his absence at the 
time of his death he had left, it seems, Timothy Demount- 
brun as county lieutenant. This man seems to have beer 
the only one authorized to rule, till the coming of St. 
Clair in 1790. 

98. Ordinance of 1787. — The territory north and wes< 
of the Ohio river was after 1778 called Illinois county, 
Virginia. By a deed of cession Virginia transferred this 
land to the general government. In 1787 the old Con- 
federation congress passed what is known as The Ordi- 
nance of 1787. This document provided for the estab- 
lishment of civil government in the territory above men- 
tioned — the Northw^est Territory. Illinois as a future 
state was a part of this Northwest Territory. 

This Ordinance provided three stages of government. 
The first stage should have a governor, three judges, and 
a secretary. This form should hold till there were 5,000 
voters, when the territory should pass into the second 
stage. The second stage should have in addition to the 
governor, three judges, and secretary, a legislature of two 
houses. This stage should hold till a previously desig- 
nated division should have 60,000 inhabitants, when it 
could be admitted as a state. 

99. Organizing the Government. — Following the pas- 
sage of the Ordinance of 1787, July 13, congress appointed 
the officials as follows; Governor, General Arthur St. 
Clair; secretary, Winthrop Sargent; judges, Samuel 
Holden Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Cleves 
Symmes. The governor arrived at Marietta, July 9, 1788. 

On the 15th of July Governor St. Clair created Wash- 
ington county, Northwest Territory. In September the 
Governor and judges adopted a code of laws for the 
territorv. 



64 A Student's History of Illinois 

In January these officials came to Cincinnati. Here 
they created the county of Hamilton. This point was 
made the seat of government. 

The governor and secretary reached Kaskaskia on the 
5th of March, 1790. Here they created the county of St. 
Clair. Later, on their journey back toward the seat of 
government, the county of Knox was organized. There 
Avere thus four counties and four county seats in this 
Northwest Territory — Washington county, Marietta the 
county seat; Hamilton county, Cincinnati the county 
seat; St, Clair county, Cahokia the county seat; Knox 
county, Vincennes the county seat. 

100. Conditions in Illinois. — Let us now recall the con- 
dition in which we left the Illinois country. Colonel 
Todd served the people of Illinois but a short time. He 
was the civil commandant up to the day of his death, 
August 18, 1782. But from the day he left in the sum- 
mer of 1780, the good order and quiet ongoing began to 
decline. 

There "was constant decrease of the population; there 
were no courts; there was no money in circulation. There 
were only sixty-five Americans who could bear arms in 
1791, and only 300 militia of all nationalities. There 
were probably not more than a thousand souls in the Illi- 
nois country at this time. A few people were coming into 
this region. 

101. St. Clair County. — AVhen Governor St. Clair and 
AVinthrop Sargent reached Kaskaskia, they must have 
been greatly disappointed in the condition and character 
of the people, for Governor St. Clair writing from Cahokia 
to the secretary of war says — "They are the most igno- 
rant people in the world; there is not a 50th man that 
can either read or write." They were all poor. They 
had contributed to Clark's needs more liberally than they 
were able, and the certificates which Clark issued in pay- 



A Student's History of Illinois 



65 




Map of St. Clair County as Laid off by Gov. St. Clair, April 27, 1790. 



66 A Student's History of Illinois 

ment for supplies were still held by these poor settlers. In 
addition to all this there had been three recent inundations 
of the Mississippi bottoms. Not only had crops been 
washed away but the planting had been prevented and 
much distress had resulted. It is probable that little 
official Avork was done by the officers whom St. Clair 
left in St. Clair county. The courts seldom 
convened, and the militia men are said to have 
refused to sei-ve. There was not much difference between 
the condition of things before and after St. Clair's coming. 

In 1795, Judge Turner, one of the three federal judges, 
divided St. Clair into two counties by a line running 
due east and west through New Design. The north half 
was called St. Clair county with Cahokia for the county 
seat, while the south half was called Randolph county with 
Kaskaskia as the county seat. 

102. Indians and Spaniards. — There were two sources of 
annoyance to the people of Illinois between 1785 and 
1800. These were the Indian troubles, and the conduct 
of Spain in relation to the use of the lower Mississippi. 

The Kickapoo Indians were quite active in marauding 
campaigns into Illinois. There does not seem to have 
been any real military campaigns, and the w^ork on the 
part of the whites consisted chiefly in defending their 
homes against the Indian attacks. Block houses were 
built wherever there were settlers and in many instances 
stockades were provided for the safety of stock as well 
as of the people. A number of people were killed in the 
Illinois country. William Biggs, afterward the sheriff 
of St. Clair county, was captured by a band of Kickapoos 
on the 28th of March, 1788. He was taken to an Indian 
village and after being held for several weeks w^as released 
and came home. In 1826 he wrote out and published the 
entire story of his capture which is very interesting. 



A Shident's History of Illinois 67 

The other matter referred to was the Spaniards' refusal 
of the use of the lower Mississippi. Spain held New 
Orleans from 1763 till its recession to France, 1800. Dur- 
ing a part of that time Spain refused to allow our river 
boats to land our produce on the wharf of that city for 
re-shipment. But in 1795 a treaty was made with that 
country by which we secured the privilege of the right 
of "deposit." From this time till the purchase of Louisiana 
we had free access to the Port of New Orleans. 

103. Local Government. — The Ordinance of 1787 pro- 
vided that when there should be 5,000 free male whites of 
the age of twenty-one years in the Northwest Territory 
they might organize a legislature on the basis of one repre- 
sentative for each 500 whites of the ao;e of twentv-one. 
This was done in the year 1798. Shadrach Bond was 
elected to represent St. Clair county and John Edgar to 
represent Randolph county. The legislature met at Cin- 
cinnati on the 4th of February, 1799. There were twenty- 
two members in the lower house, representing eleven coun- 
ties. "William H. Harrison who had succeeded Sargent as 
secretary was elected a delegate to congress. In the session 
of congress in the winter of 1799-1800, the proposition to 
divide the Northwest Territory into two territories was 
referred to a committee of which Harrison was chairman. 
The report was favorably received by congress and on the 
7th of May, 1800, an act was passed dividing the North- 
west Territory by a line running from the Ohio to Fort 
Recovery and thence north to the line separating the terri- 
tory from Canada. 

The eastern part was still called the Northwest Terri- 
tory, while the western portion was to be known as the 
Indiana Territory. This territory included what is now 
the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 



68 ^i Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XII. 

ILLINOIS A PART OF THE INDIANA TERRITORY. 

104. Governor Harrison. — The western part of the old 
Northwest Territory was, in 1800, organized as the Indiana 
Territory. It became a territory of the first class, with 
Wm. Henry Harrison as territorial governor. The seat 
of government was placed at Vincennes on the Wabash 
river. Very naturally the movement of immigration 
westward would stop in the territory of the states of 
Ohio and Indiana, hence these two sections were ready 
for statehood before Illinois. By the census of 1800 what 
is now Illinois had 2,500 inhabitants. The history of 
Illinois and that of Indiana are closely blended from 1800 
to 1809, when the territory was divided and the Illinois 
territory was organized as a territory of the first class. 

105. Slavery. — It has already been shown that slavery 
had been introduced into the Illinois country by Philip 
Renault in 1721. General Gage in a proclamation to the 
people of the Illinois country in 1763 stated among other 
things, "That those who choose to retain their lands and 
become subjects of his majesty, shall enjoy the same 
rights and privileges, the same security for their persons 
and effects and the liberty of trade, as the old subjects 
of the King." So there was slavery in Illinois as a British 
possession just as when it was French territory. In 1783 
Great Britain transferred this same territory to the United 
States. The United States in turn agreed to guarantee to 
the people security for persons and effects. Thus slavery 
was recognized. Again when Virginia ceded her territory 



A Student's History of Illinois 69 

west of the Alleghany mountains she incorporated in her 
deed of cession the following — "Be it enacted — That the 
French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the 
Kaskaskia, St. Vincents, and the neighboring villages, 
who have professed themselves citizens of Virginia shall 
have their possessions and titles confirmed to them, and 
be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties." 

106. Interpretation. — A problem now arose. The 
treaties confirmed the ownership of slaves in the Indiana 
territory. The Ordinance of 1787 said there should be no 
slavery in this territory. This provision in the Ordinance 
is known as the 6th Article. 

When Governor St. Clair arrived in the Illinois country 
in 1790 he put an interpretation upon the 6th article 
which quieted the slave holder very much. He gave it as 
his interpretation that the 6th article meant that no more 
slaves could be brought into the territory, but that the 
slaves that were already there were not to be disturbed. 
This was the construction put upon the article for the next 
several years. 

107. Indenture System. — The people of the Indiana 
territory were very anxious to bring in slaves from the 
older states and several efforts were made to get Congress 
to annul the 6th Article of the Ordinance. 

The refusal of congress to grant the request roused the 
people to take the matter into their own hands. The 
Governor and judges acting as a legislative body on 
September 22, 1803, passed "A Law Concerning Servants." 
It provided that a person coming into the Territory 'binder 
contract to serve another in any trade or occupation shall 
be compelled to perform such contract during the term 
thereof." 

By this law, usually called the "indenture law," a man 
living in Kentucky could bring his slaves into the Indiana 
Territory and hold them here under this contract system. 



70 A Student's History of Illinois 

In this way hundreds of slaves were lield in various parts 
of what is now Indiana and Illinois. 

108. Louisiana. — After the purchase of the Louisiana 
territory in 1803, that region was placed under the man- 
agement and control of Governor Harrison. In 1805 
Louisiana was separated from Indiana. Shortly after- 
wards Aaron Burr visited Vincennes and Kaskaskia on 
his way down the Ohio and the Mississippi and it is said 
secured followers from each of these towns. Governor 
Harrison was superintendent of Indian affairs in this 
western region and between 1803 and 1809 made a 
number of treaties with Indian tribes by which large tracts 
of land in Indiana and Illinois were ceded to the United 
States. 

109. Indiana Territory Divided. — Indiana Territory 
became a territory of the second class January 3, 1805. 
The seat of government was still Vincennes, and General 
Harrison was governor. The members of the legislature 
from the counties of St. Clair and Randolph were Pierre 
Menard, John Hay, Dr. George Fisher, Shadrach Bond, and 
Wm. Biggs. 

The Illinois people complained that it was a great incon- 
venience to go so far to the seat of government. In a 
petition to congress the Illinois people complained that the 
road to Vincennes was a hundred and eighty miles through 
an uninhabited country which it was really dangerous to 
travel. 

Another argument was that the governor, Wm. H. Har- 
rison, appointed only friends to office and that all impor- 
tant places were filled with the governor's Indiana friends. 

A third argument in favor of the division was that the 
people in the Illinois region were favorable to slavery 
while the Indiana people were quite indifferent to the sub- 
ject of introducing slavery. 



A Student's History, of Illinois 



71 



There was organized in and about Kaskaskia a bitter 
opposition to the separation of IlUnois from Indiana. 
Petitions were sent to Congress praying that body not to 
separate the two regions. The controversy grew intensely 
bitter and resuhed in the murder of one of the advocates 
of separation. The advocates of division carried their 
point and on February 3, 1809, Congress passed an act 
separating the Indiana Territory, by a line running north 
from Vincennes to Canada, into the two territories of 
Indiana and Illinois. 




St. Clair County's First Court House, Still Standing in a Park in Chicago. 



72 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XIIT. 

ILLINOIS TERRITORY. 

110. First Class. — The seat of government for the Illi- 
nois Territory was fixed at Kaskaskia; Ninian Edwards 
was made Governor of the new territory, and Nathaniel 
Pope was made Secretary. The territory was to be of the 
first class. 

Governor Edwards was a man of unusual parts. He 
had a collegiate training and was a man of wonderful 
resources. He arrived in June, 1809, and immediately 
called a legislative session of the governor and judges. 
The laws first provided were those previously in force in 
the Indiana Territory. 

. The government of the Illinois Territory was now com- 
pletely organized and the people realized what was for 
many years a buoyant hope. They said in favor of divi- 
sion, that it would increase immigration and bring pros- 
perity to a lagging and unremunerative industrial life. 
They argued that towns would spring up, farms would be 
opened, and that commerce w^ould be greatly augmented. 
Their prophecy was soon fulfilled. 

111. Land Offices. — By a law of congress, passed March 
26, 1804, there were established three land offices — one at 
Kaskaskia, one at Vincennes, and one at Detroit. "When 
the United States came into possession of the public 
domain, there was no thought of attempting to dispose 
of it in smaller tracts than many thousands of acres. It 
was supposed that large companies and wealthy indi- 
viduals would buy these large tracts and then go into 
the retail business. When Mr. Harrison was a delegate 



A Student's History of Illinois 76 

in congress, he got a bill through which reduced the tracts 
to one square mile — 640 acres. The price fixed was $2.00 
per acre, one-fourth to be paid in cash and three-fourths 
on credit. Later the size of the tract was reduced ; so also 
was the price. The establishing of the land office at 
Kaskaskia in 1804, greatly increased the immigration to 
the Illinois country. So much so that the population of 
Illinois grew from 2,500 in 1800 to 12,282 in 1810, by 
the census of those dates. 

112. Extent of Settlements. — When Governor Edwards 
came to take charge of affairs in the Illinois Territory, or 
shortly thereafter, in addition to the number of settle- 
ments in the two counties of Randolph and St. Clair, there 
were settlements in the territory composing the present 
counties of Jackson, Union, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Gal- 
latin, Monroe. In spite of the drawbacks of the undivided 
territory prior to 1809, there had been a great increase 
in population, in industries, in home-making, and in all 
the activities which were destined eventually to make Illi- 
nois a great State. 

But shortly after Governor Edwards arrived in the new 
territory, the peace and safety of the ten thousand inhabi- 
tants were threatened. Tecumseh and the Prophet were 
busy inciting the Indians to deeds of violence, and as a 
result the battle of Tippecanoe was fought on the 6th of 
November, 1811; and while Illinois had no military 
organization in the battle, yet there were individuals from 
around the Salt Works and Shawneetown who took part 
in the engagement. Colonel Isaac White of Shawneetown, 
a lessee of the Salt Works, was a personal friend of Gov- 
ernor Harrison. He took part in the campaign and was 
killed in the battle above referred to. 

113. The War of 1812.— In 1811, Governor Edwards 
took a very active part in putting his territory in a state 
of defense and is said to have expended large sums of 



74 A Student's History of Illinois 

money from his private purse for the equipment of the 
miUtia. Congress also organized a regiment of rangers in 
the west. It was put in command of Col. Wm. Russell, of 
Kentucky. 

Block houses were built everywhere. Probably as many 
as twenty-five blockhouses and crude forts were constructed 
in what is now called Southern Illinois. 

Revnolds savs that often four blockhouses were 
arranged in the form of a square, one at each corner, prob- 
ably a hundred feet apart. In between was a palisade 
of logs set on end ten or fifteen feet high. Into these 
stockades the neighbors brought all their stock and other 
movables. They would remain in these enclosures for 
several days. The timber or other obstruction was 
removed for several yards around in all directions, thus 
enabling the occupants to give the Indians a warm recep- 
tion. In these crudely constructed defenses, they had 
the usual neighborhood ''scraps/' while on Sundays they 
always had their regular religious service. In case of 
attacks by the Indians there was an immediate proclama- 
tion of martial law. The women made bullets and in 
other ways assisted in the defense of the fort. 

114. Fort Dearborn Massacre. — War was declared June 
19, 1812, and on the 15th of August General Hull sur- 
rendered Detroit. This misfortune to the American cause 
aroused general activity among the Indians, and the mas- 
sacre of the garrison at Fort Dearborn followed. This 
was one of the greatest calamities that had ever befallen 
tlio Illinois country. 

This fort was in charge of Capt. Heald who had fewer 
than one hundred men in the fort. He was advised to 
abandon the fort and seek safety at Fort Wayne in 
Indiana. He made an agreement with the Indians to 
turn over the fort to them if they would give him a safe 
escort to Fort Wavne. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



75 




Old Fort Dearborn, Built in the Year 1803. 



On the morning of tlie 15th of August the little army 
was ready to depart for Fort Wayne. Each soldier was 
given twenty-five rounds of ammunition. The baggage 
wagons, the ambulance, and the little army proceeded on 
their fatal journey. 

When a mile and a half from the fort they discovered 
Indians hidden behind sand hills, ready to attack. The 
soldiers were fired upon and returned the fire. The con- 
flict then became general and lasted for some time. Fin- 
ally after nearly half of the soldiers had been killed, the 
remnant surrendered. In the agreement to surrender no 
stipulation was made as to the treatment of the wounded, 
and it is said by eye witnesses that their treatment by the 
infuriated Indians beggars all description. Twenty-six 
regulars, twelve militia, two w^omen and twelve children 
were left dead on the field of conflict. The prisoners were 
scattered here and there but were finallv ransomed. 



76 



A Student's History of Illinois 



115. Illinois Campaigns. — When news of this dreadful 
affair reached Kaskaskia, Oovernor Edwards decided to 
take immediate stej3s for the protection of liis people. Fort 
Russell was built one and a half miles northwest of 
Edwardsville. This was made headquarters. Here were 
collected soldiers, munitions, and provisions. 

Two expeditions were planned against the Indians of 
the Illinois river region in 1813, but both were barren of 
results. Still other expeditions went into the northern 
part of Illinois from the south end of the State; in one 
of these. Major Zachary Taylor, a future president of the 
United States was in command. From the beginning to 
the end of this struggle there were probably two or three 
thousand citizens enrolled in the service. Scores of lives 
were lost — most of them near their homes, by bands of 
prowling Indians. 




^^^f^m 







Block-houses and Stockade Such 

as Were Built in the 

War of 1812. 



A Student's History of Illinois 77 



CHAPTER XIV. 

PREPARED FOR STATEHOOD. 

116. Illinois Second Class. — While the war of 1812 was 
going on, IlHiiois became a territory of the second class. 
There were now five counties. The two old ones w-ere St. 
Clair and Randolph, and the three new ones were Madi- 
son, Gallatin, and Johnson. An election was ordered in 
these five counties for five members of the legislative 
council, and for seven members of the house of repre- 
sentatives, and for a delegate in congress. 

This Territorial Assembly met at Kaskaskia November 
25, 1812, and proceeded to organize by choosing Pierre 
Menard, president of the council and George Fisher 
speaker of the house. Reynolds says the whole of the 
assembly boarded at one house and slept in one room. 
The work before this first session was to re-enact the laws 
for the territory which served while the territory was 
of the first class, to adopt militar}'- measures for the defense 
of the people against the Indians, and to provide revenue 
for the maintenance of the territorial government. 

117. Some Early Laws. — The laws which were in force 
in Illinois as a first class territory were all taken from the 
laws of some older state. Those passed by the legislature 
while the territory was in the second grade were usually 
of the same nature as those in use under the first grade. 
It will be very interesting as well as quite instructive 
for us to know some of these laws. A few are given in 
substance : 

For burglary, larceny, horse stealing, and bigamy, the 
punishment was from 25 to 100 lashes Children and 



78 A Student's History of Illinois 

servants could be whipped by permission of the court. 
If a man were fined and could not pay, his time could 
be sold by the sheriff. Standing in the pillory was a 
common mode of punishment. Branding was authorized 
in extreme cases. "For reveling, quarreling, fighting, 
profanely cursing, disorderly behavior at divine worship, 
and hunting on the Sabbath, penalties by fines were 
prescribed." 

The laws providing for the collection of debts were all 
quite favorable to the creditor. No property, real or per- 
sonal, was exempt from judgment and execution ; and if 
the property did not satisfy a debt, the debtor could be 
cast into prison. 

118. Pre-emption Law. — Shadrach Bond was the first 
delegate from Illinois to sit in congress. He was elected 
in 1812. During his term as delegate in congress he 
secured the enactment of the first pre-emption law ever put 
ujoon the stutute books in the United States. This law 
will be better appreciated when we understand some of 
the practices of frontier life. 

It often happened that the surveyed land was not 
placed on the market for a number of years. The settler 
usually selected his lands and made improvements with 
the expectation that he would buy the land when it came 
on the market. Unprincipled men Avould watch and 
would often step in ahead of the settler at the land office 
and buy the improved land at government prices. This 
often resulted in violence and bloodshed. 

Bond's pre-emption law recognized the settler's equity 
in the improvements, and prevented anyone else from 
buving the land without the consent of the one who had 
improved it. This was legislating in the interest of the 
pioneers who had borne the burden and the heat of the 
dav. 



A Student's History of Illinois 79 

119. Immigration. — There was a rapid increase in the 
population of the Territory of IlHnois from the day it 
became a territory of the second grade. New counties 
were added to the five previously named. The new ones 
were — Edwards and White in 1815; Monroe, Crawford, 
Jackson, Pope, Bond, in 1816; Union, Franklin, and 
Washington in 1818. Illinois Territory now had fifteen 
counties. 

It should be kept in mind that some of these counties 
were organized with very few people. How^ever the popu- 
lation was greatly multiplying, for by 1818 there were 
nearly 40,000 people within the State.^ There w^ere at 
least five factors Avhich favored an increase in population. 

1. The pre-emption law above noted. 

2. The modes of travel had improved. 

3. The policy of organizing counties was a far-sighted 
one. 

4. The treaties made wdth the Indians. 

5. The close of the war of 1812-15 marked the move- 
ment of large immigrations into the west. 

120. Banks and Banking. — Our neighboring states of 
Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri had each a 
system of banking which furnished an abundance of 
money; indeed very much of this money found its way 
into Illinois. The territorial legislature of 1816 passed a 
law chartering banks at Shawneetown, Kaskaskia, and 
Edwardsville. AVe shall speak of these more fully in a 
later chapter. 

There was also a charter issued by the legislature of 
1837 incorporating the City and Bank of Cairo. At that 
time there was nothing in the nature of a town or city 
where Cairo now stands. The bank was opened in 
Kaskaskia in a brick building adjacent to the land office. 



80 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XV. 

ILLINOIS A STATE. 

121. Services of Nathaniel Pope. — The territorial legis- 
lature in the spring of 1.S18 sent a petition to the delegate 
in congress, Mr. Nathaniel Pope, praying congress for 
the passage of an act which would permit the people of 
Illinois Territory to form a constitution and apply for 
admission into the Union. 

Mr. Pope presented the petition on the 16th of January, 
1818, and it was referred to the committee on territories 
of which he was a member. Mr. Pope being a representa- 
tive of the people making the petition, the committee 
requested him to draw the bill for the enabling act. This 
he did and in due course of time the committee was ready 
to report. On April 7, 1818, the committee reported the 
bill which had been drawn. The report was now referred 
to the committee of the whole in which the bill was taken 
up April 13. 

Mr. Pope had placed the northern boundary at 41 
degrees and 39 minutes. But in the committee of the 
whole he asked to have it moved north to 42 degrees and 
30 minutes. The committee of the whole agreed to this. 
As a consequence Illinois secured the city of Chicago and 
the two northern tiers of counties in the state. The Enab- 
ling Act thus amended was passed by the congress April 
18, 1818, and it became a law. 

122. The Enabling Act. — The act has seven sections. 
First. The people of the Territory of Illinois were 

authorized to form a constitution. 

Second. The boundary of the state Vv^as fixed. 



A Student's History of Illinois 81 

Third. This section stated the qualifications of those 
who should vote for members of the constitutional con- 
vention. It also named the fifteen c/unties which should 
send representatives to the said convention as follows: 
Bond, ]\Iadison, St. Clair, Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, 
Johnson, Pope, Gallatin, White, Edwards, Crawford, 
Union, Washington, and Franklin. The election day was 
set for the first Monday in July (6) and the two follow- 
ing days. The number of delegates to the convention was 
fixed two for each county except Madison, St. Clair, and 
Gallatin, which should have three each — thirty-three in all. 

Fourth. The day for the meeting of the convention was 
fixed for the first Monday in August. The form of govern- 
ment must be Republican, and there must be 40,000 
inhabitants before the territory could be admitted as a 
State. 

Fifth. The State when admitted shall be entitled to 
one representative in congress. 

Sixth. The following propositions were offered to the 
convention : 

1. Section number 16 in each township, which should 
be for the benefit of the schools of that township. 

2. The gift of all salt springs within the State together 
with the lands reserved for them. These salt springs and 
land to be held by the legislatuj^e for the benefit of the 
State. The lands could not be sold, nor rented for a longer 
period than ten years at any one time. 

3. The State was offered five per cent of the net proceeds 
of the sale of public lands within the State. 

4. The State was offered a township of land to be used 
to found a seminary of learning. 

Seventh. All territory north of the north line of 
Indiana and north of the north line of Illinois should be 
attached to the Michigan territory for purposes of govern- 
ment. 



82 A Student's History of Illinois 

123. Constitutional Convention. — As has been said, the 
Enabling Act became a law the 18th of April, 1818. The 
election of delegates to the constitutional convention was 
fixed for the first Monday in July, and the constitutional 
convention was to convene the first Monday in August. 
But the first thing to do was to take the census of the 
territory, and if it did not have the 40,000 then there 
would be no need for the convention. It was soon evident 
that the territory did not have the required number. 
The story is told that the marshal stationed his enumer- 
ators on the public highways and counted the traveller.? 
and immigrants, regardless of their destination. Not 
only this, but it is asserted that often the same traveller 
or immigrant was counted twice or even thrice. At last 
the enumerators returned 40,000 inhabitants, but as the 
returns were afterward footed up there were really only 
34,620 people in the proposed State. The delegates w^ere 
duly elected and assembled at Kaskaskia on the first Mon- 
day in August. There were two subjects which were dis- 
cussed in the canvass for delegates to the convention ; one 
was the question of whether the constituency ought to 
have the right of instruction, and the other was the ques- 
tion of slavery. 

The following is a list of those who assembled as 
delegates : 

St. Clair county — Jesse B. Thomas, John Messenger, James 
Lemen, Jr. 

Randolph — George Fisher, Elias Kent Kane. 

Madison — Benjamin Stephenson, Josepli Borough, Abraham 
Prickett. 

Gallatin — Michael Jones, Leonard White, Adolphus Frederick 
Hubbard. 

Johnson — Hezekiah West, Wm. McFatridge. 

Edwards — Seth -Gard, Levi Compton. 

White — Willis Hargrave, Wm. McHenry. 

Monroe — Caldwell Cams, Enoch Moore. 



A Student's History of Illinois 

Pope — Samuel O'Melveny, Hamlet Ferguson. 
Jackson — Conrad Will, James Hall, Jr. 
Crawford — Joseph Kltchell, Edward N. Cullom. 
Bond — Thomas Kirkpatrick, Samuel J. Morse. 
Union — Wm. Eckols, John Whittaker. 

Washington — Andrew Bankson (other delegate died during 
convention). 
Franklin — Isham Harrison, Thomas Roberts. 

The convention met August 3, 1818, and finished its 
labors and adjourned August 26. Jesse B. Thomas from 
St. Clair county was elected chairman, and Wm. C. 
Greenup was made secretary. Up to within the past 10 
years no one knew of a copy of the proceedings of the con- 
vention, but a copy has been found and is in the possession 
of the Illinois State Historical Library. 

The constitution was not submitted to the people for 
ratification and the only officers which the people might 
elect were: Governor, lieutenant governor, members of 
the general assembly, sheriffs, and coroners. The offices 
which were filled by appointment of either the governor 
or the general assembly were : Judges of the supreme, cir- 
cuit and probate courts; prosecuting attorney, county 
clerk, circuit clerk, recorder, justice of the peace, auditor 
of public accounts, attorney general, secretary of state. 

124. The Constitution of 1818.— Before taking up the 
elections under the constitution, let us make a brief study 
of the document. 

Article one provides that all governmental power shall 
be exercised through three departments, namely: The 
legislative, the executive, the judicial. 

Article two vests the legislative authority in a general 
assembly which shall consist of a senate and a house of 
representatives. It also fixes qualifications of members 
of the two houses, states the modes by which bills may 
become laws. Section 27 reads — "In all elections all white 
male inhabitants above the age of twenty-one years, hav- 



84 A Student's History of Illinois 

iiig resided in the State six months next preceding the 
election, shall enjoy the right of an elector; but no person 
shall be entitled to vote except in the county or district in 
which he shall actually reside at the time of the election." 

Article three vests the executive authority in a governor 
and other officers and defines their duties. 

Article four locates the judicial power in one supreme 
court and in such inferior courts as the legislature may 
from time to time ordain and establish. 

Article five creates and organizes the militia. 

Article six has three sections which treat of the whole 
subject of slavery — slaves, identured servants, negroes and 
nmlattoes. 

Article seven provides for the amending of the consti- 
tution. 

Article eight contains a bill of rights. The bill con- 
tains twenty-three sections and covers all imaginable 
claims to protection which the individual might ever need. 

The schedule is a miscellaneous collection of provisions 
which could not easily be classified elsewhere. 

125. The First Election. — The day fixed by the consti- 
tion for the election of the officers provided for, was the 
third Thursday (the 17th) in September and the two suc- 
ceeding days — Friday and Saturday. 

At this election Shadrach Bond was chosen governor, 
Pierre Menard was elected lieutenant governor, and John 
McLean was elected the representative in congress. There 
were also elected fourteen senators and twenty-nine repre- 
sentative to the state legislature. It will be noticed that 
this election was held, and these officers chosen before the 
constitution was accepted by congress. But it was almost 
a certainty the constitution would be accepted, and so the 
people felt justified in doing this preliminary work. The 
constitution was accepted and the state admitted, December 
3, 1818. 



A Student's History of Illinois 85 



CHAPTER XVI. 

A RETROSPECT. 

126. A Growing Country. — The year 1818 was a not- 
able one in the history of Ilhnois. In this year was 
reahzed an event which many had looked forward to 
with great interest; this was the year when the State 
became of age. Its history reached back to the discovery 
by Marquette and Joliet, nearly a hundred and fifty years. 
It had actually been settled by whites for one hundred 
and eighteen years. 

Its people had lived successively under three govern- 
ments — the French, the English, and the American. 
Immigration had reached it from three sources — the 
north, the south, and the east. Each of the three quarters 
brought its own peculiar people. No other district of 
equal area created such widespread interest in Europe as 
the Illinois country. The fame of its rich soil, its noble 
rivers, its wide stretching lake, its abundance of wild 
game, its famous wealth of mines, and its geographical 
situation was spread abroad by every traveller who chanced 
to traverse its boundless prairies or to thread its silvery 
streams. 

For a century after the planting of the first permanent 
settlement the growth of institutional life was very slow. 
The people for a large part, were unambitious, thriftless, 
and lived without purpose. Those who were responsible 
for the continuous ongoing of the settlements looked 
upon them as a means only to an end, which end was 
not within the grasp of those who were building more 
wisely than they knew. The French settlements on the 



86 



A Student's History of Illinois 



Mississippi could never have lived through the century 
following their founding, had it not been for the strong 
arm of the royal government, and the equally strong sup- 
port of the church. How different from the Anglo-Saxon 
settlements on the Atlantic coast which prospered in spite 
of both royalty and ecclesiasticism. 

At the beginning of the nineteenth century there were 
probably fewer than 3,000 souls in the territory. They 
were distributed chiefly along the Mississippi, a few being 
on the Ohio, and a few along the Wabash river. 

127. The Industries. — The chief lines of industrial life 
were farming, commerce, trading, manufacturing, lum- 
bering, fishing, etc. Wheat Avas raised in large quantities 
in the American Bottom. The harvesting was done with 
the i)ld fashioned sickle. Reynolds says there were no 




Ruins of a Grist Steam Mill built by the side of the Pax Pagi 

Mill near Kaskaskia. The two buhr-stones seen in the 

ruins were brought from France and used in the 

Pax Pagi Mill. Many of the timbers seen 

are as much as twelve inches square. 



A Student's History of Illinois 87 

cradles in those days. The wheat was threshed with flail 
or tramped out by means of horses. The wheat was 
ground at water mills or horse mills. 

Corn was raised but not so extensively as wheat. Hogs 
were fattened by allowing them to feed upon the mast 
which in that early day was abundant. The corn was 
used to make "lye hominy" and ''samp" ; whiskey was 
distilled by some of the settlers who had come from Ten- 
nessee, Kentucky, or the mountainous districts of Vir- 
ginia. Considerable whiskey was drunk, especially on 
public days. Fruits were plentifully grown. The French 
villagers usually had a few fruit trees in their back 
yards. Flax was grown in considerable quantities. Half 
of the population made their living by the chase, as 
coureur du bois, or by keel boating. The lead mines in 
the northwest part of the State and in southw^estern Wis- 
consin furnished an excellent market for the surplus food 
products of the Illinois settlements. The transportation 
of this provision to the mines and the return with lead 
down the river, gave work for a large contingent of river 
men. 

Lumber was not extensively used. But there were a 
few mills for making lumber. The whip saw was the 
chief dependence for sawing boards, but in about 1800 a 
water mill for both sawing and grinding was erected on 
Horse creek. Lumber was used quite largely in building 
flat boats for the river trade. Some of it, of course, was 
used in the construction of houses. 

Among the limited kinds of manufacturing, the mak- 
ing of flour was perhaps the most general. This flour was 
marketed in St. Louis, in the lead mines, in New Orleans, 
in the eastern states, and some of it is said to have been 
shipped to Europe. Salt was made at the Salines, in what 
is now Gallatin county, also in Jackson county on Big 
Muddy, in Monroe, 7 or 8 miles west of Waterloo, in 



88 A Student's History of Illinois 

Bond, and possibly in other localities. There were few 
tanneries. It is said that the French women did not take 
kindly to such work as making butter, spinning, weaving, 
etc. Blacksmiths were scarce, and so the wagons of those 
early days were made chiefly of wood, as were also the 
plows. 

128. Education. — Schools were scarce. It is said that 
the Jesuits had a school in Kaskaskia in the middle of 
the eighteenth century. Samuel J. Seely is said to have 
been the first American school teacher in Illinois. He 
taught school in New Design. He came here as early as 

1783 and taught in an abandoned squatter's cabin. The 
school was continued the next year by Francis Clark, and 
he was followed by an Irishman named Halfpenny. 
Halfpenny was called the ''School Master General of Illi- 
nois," because he taught in so many localities. He built 
a water mill on Fountaine creek, not far from Waterloo, 
in 1795. Monroe had schools as early at 1800. Randolph 
had a school as early as 1790. The teacher was John 
Doyle, a soldier with Colonel Clark in 1778. A Mr. Davis, 
an old sailor, taught in the fort in Baldwin precinct in 
Randolph county in 1816. John Bradsbury, ''faithful 
but not learned," taught a school in Madison county near 
Collinsville as early as 1804. John Atwater opened a 
school near Edwardsville in 1807. St. Clair county had 
for a pioneer teacher John Messenger, who was also a 
surveyor. Schools were opened at Turkey Hill in 1S08 
by John Bradley, and at Shiloh in 1811. 

129. The Catholics. — In an earlier day the Catholic 
church was the only religous organization. At Kaskaskia 
was the mission of the Immaculate Conception. This 
mission is said to have been founded by Father Marquette 
as early as 1675 near the present town of Utica. It was 
moved to Kaskaskia about 1700. About the same time 



A Student's History of Illinois 89 

a mission was founded at Cahokia, and later one at Fort 
Chartres, 

The value of these early missionary efforts from the 
point of view of the conversion of the Indians, has prob- 
ably been over estimated. ]\Iarquette reports only the 
baptizing of a dying infant at the end of three days hard 
preaching among the Kaskaskia Indians. But it must 
not be thought that the work of the Catholic church in 
the Illinois country was wholly fruitless. The godly life 
of the priests exerted its influence upon the savages 
whenever the two came in contact. 

130. The Baptists. — There were three leading protes- 
tant churches represented in Illinois prior to the admis- 
sion of the State into the Union. These were in order of 
their coming the Baptists, the Methodists, and the Presby- 
terians. The Baptists were represented in Illinois as early 
as 1787. In that year the Rev. James Smith, from Lin- 
coln county, Kentucky, came to the New Design settle- 
ment and engaged in evangelistic work. Smith was fol- 
lowed by the Rev. John K. Simpson and his son, they by 
Rev. Smith, who had previously returned to Kentucky. 

The Rev. David Badgley organized the first Baptist 
church in the Illinois territory in the summer of 1796. 
The greatest representative of the Baptist faith in the 
early days of the State was Rev. John M. Peck, but he 
did not arrive till 1817 and we shall speak of his labors 
later. 

131. The Methodists. — The Methodists came into the 
territory as early as 1793. They were first represented 
by the Rev. Joseph Lillard, Avho came from Kentucky. 
He was a circuit rider in that state. He organized a 
church at New Design and appointed Joseph Ogle as class 
leader. 

Probably the most noted of the early Methodist preach- 
ers was the Rev, Jesse Walker, who came from Kentucky 



90 ^l Student's History of Illinois 

by appointment from the ''Western Conference." The 
Western Conference, held in 1806, appointed Jesse Walker 
circuit rider for the Illinois circuit which at that time 
was one of eight circuits of the Cumberland District. 
The Rev. Wm. McKendree, afterwards Bishop McKendree, 
was the Presiding Elder of the Cumberland District, and 
so earnest was he that Jesse Walker should get started that 
he came with him to the Illinois territory. They swam 
their horses across seven different streams, camped out at 
night and cooked their own meals. They finally arrived 
at the Turkey Hill settlement near the present city of 
Belleville. The winter of 1806-7 the Rev. Walker preached 
in the homes of the people in and around New Design. 
In the summer of 1808 he held a campmeeting which 
was doubtless the first effort of the kind ever made in the 
State. Walker soon had 218 members in the Illinois cir- 
cuit. He afterwards established a church in St. Louis. 
132. The Presbyterians. — The first Presbyterian 
preacher to visit the Illinois territory was the Rev. John 
Evans Finley. He reached Kaskaskia in a keel boat from 
Pittsburg in 1797. ''He preached and catechised, also bap- 
tized several of the redmen." Although the Rev. ]\Ir. Finley 
fully intended to settle in the Illinois Territory, he and his 
companions decided to leave when they learned they 
would be obliged to do military duty. "In the Illinois 
Territory, containing more than 12,000 people, there is 
no Presbyterian or Congregational minister. There are a 
number of good people in the Territory who would be 
glad to have such ministers among them." These facts 
were reported in 1812. No Presbyterian preacher was 
settled or preached for any length of time before the 
coming of the Rev. James McGready in 1816. He organ- 
ized the Sharon church, in what is now White county, in 
September of that year. A reverend gentleman by the 
name of Samuel Wylie had a very prosperous congrega- 



A Student's History of Illinois 91 

tion of Covenanters in Randolph county in 1817. He and 
his people became very noted throughout Southern 
Illinois. 

133. Society.— The social life of Illinois prior to 1818 
was certainly not of a very high order. We do not mean 
there were no good people and that there were not those 
of culture and refinement, for indeed many of the people 
who became permanent settlers were from localities in 
the older states where the agencies of culture, learning, 
and religion were abundant. However, in any newly 
settled region there is always found a very rough class 
of people, and while not necessarily in the majority in 
numbers, to the casual observer they stand out promi- 
nently and give character to the community at large. 

In dress the early pioneers were content with the home- 
made product. The men often wearing breeches and 
shirt of the tanned hide of wild animals, and the cap 
of fox hide or of raccoon skin. This gave them a very 
rough appearance. Their homes were very crude and not 
always comfortable. The household utensils were such 
as could be manufactured by each head of the family. 
There were no stoves, cooking being done on the fire- 
place hearth. 

Swapping work was quite common. The particular 
kinds of work referred to were wood chopping, corn gath- 
ering, harvesting, house-raising, and road-making. Some 
of these gatherings were very enjoyable to the pioneers 
for they would often spread their meals upon the ground 
and gather about in modern picnic style. Dancing was 
a very common amusement and since there were very few 
preachers, there were few others to object. The French 
settlers especially were fond of dancing. Horse-racing 
was another very common recreation. The horse-races 
usually came off on Saturdays or on public days. Race 
tracks were common features of many localities. At these 



92 



A Student's History of Illinois 



races other amusements were indulged in ; figliting was no 
unusual thing. The "bully" was a man of notoriety. 
►Swearing of the hardest sort was heard and while there 
were laws against it, still the people indulged. "Swear- 
ing by the name of God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Ghost," 
as well as Sabbath breaking, was finable from 50 cents 
to $2. 

Perhaps one of the most characteristic customs, and one 
that still lingers in many localities, was the "shooting 
match." A farmer's wife who had been quite lucky in 
raising turkeys, would dispose of them in the fall by 
means of the shooting match. If the turkey was to 
bring $1 then ten privileges to shoot must be bought at 
10 cents each. When the necessary number of chances 
was taken then a mark was put up at a certain distance 
and the contest began. The marksman who made the 
best shot got the turkey. Among these frontiersmen "tak- 
ing a rest" was a confession of lack of skill. 




Wolf Point, the Junction of the North and South Branches 
of the Chicago River, 1832. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



93 




GOVERNOR SHADRACH BOND. 
1818-1822. 

Shadrach Bond was a native of Maryland. He was born Novem- 
ber 24, 1778. He was brought up on a farm. His education was 
limited. He came with his father to Illinois in 1794, and settled 
near New Design, in what is now Monroe county. Mr. Bond served 
in the legislature of the Indiana Territory and in congress, and 
was for a while receiver of public moneys at Kaskaskia. He was 
the only candidate for Governor in ISIS. He favored making Illinois 
a slave State. Governor Bond ran for congress after serving as 
the chief executive, but was defeated by Daniel P. Cook. He died 
In 1832. His body lies buried in the cemetery in Chester. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BOND. 

134. Extra Session of the Legislature. — Governor Bond 
convened the legislature in extra session on the 4th day 
of January, 1819. It was in session till March 31, 1819. 

The work of the legislature in the spring of 1819 was 
along four lines, as follows: 



94 A Student's History of Illinois 

1. The adoption of a body of laws, taken largely from 
the laws of the neighboring states. 

2. Revenue laws were enacted by means of which the 
taxes were to be raised. 

3. Salaries of State officers were fixed. 

4. The passing of a law providing for the removal of 
the State capital. 

135. —The Black Code.— The ''Black Code" was a por- 
tion of the body of laws provided by *the General 
Assembly. The ''Code" was approved March 30, 1819. 
There were 25 sections, but only a synopsis can be given. 
These laws provided that free negroes and mulattoes com- 
ing into the State must bring a certificate of freedom 
which must be recorded in the clerk's office. Negroes 
and mulattoes who failed to comply with the law would 
be removed by the overseers of the poor of the county. 

It was against the law to bring in slaves for the pur- 
pose of freeing them; however, one might do so if he 
would give $1,000 bond for each slave's good behavior. 
For failure to comply with this provision a fine of $200 
could be assessed. 

Free negroes in the State, upon passage of the act, 
must file with the clerk a description of themselves with 
evidence of freedom. They were then given a certificate 
of their freedom. Persons hiring negroes without these 
certificates were finable at the rate of $1.50 per day for the 
offense. 

Harboring a slave or preventing his capture by his 
owner was a felony. 

Free negroes without certificates of freedom might be 
arrested and upon being advertised might be sold for one 
year. 

Servants or slaves could be whipped for laziness. A 
free negro could own or hold by indenture another negro 



A Student's History of Illinois 95 

but not a white person. Slaves and servants could not 
enter into any business transaction. 

Slaves and servants were not allowed to assemble for 
carousals or dancing, and any person who permitted it 
on his place was subject, to a fine of $10. 

136. Revenues. — The laws provided for the raising of 
the money with which the government of the State was 
to be carried on. The tax on lands of resident owners 
was used for county purposes. The State tax was raised 
upon lands owned by non-residents. 

In 1824 the State revenue was about $25,000. 

The third group of laws provided for the salaries of 
the officers. The following were the salaries: Governor, 
$1,000; lieutenant governor, $6 per day during the ses- 
sion of the legislature; secretary of state $1,100, and $300 
for clerk hire; auditor, $800; treasurer, $800; adjutant 
general, $100; supreme judges, $800; circuit judges, 
$750; attorney general, $350 and fees; six State's attor- 
neys $250 each and fees ; agent for saline lands, $200, etc. 
Nearly all the county officers received no set salaries, but 
were content to serve for the fees which came into the 
offices. 

137. Removal of the Capital. — Among the laws passed 
was one which provided for the removal of the capital 
of the State from Kaskaskia. Section 13 of the schedule 
attached to the constitution, provided for the removal of 
the capital at any time the general assembly so deter- 
mined. It also provided that at the first session of the 
legislature held under the constitution that body should 
petition congress for a gift of not more than four sections 
of land nor less than one section upon which the new 
capital city should be located. 

138. The Gift from Congress. — Congress was very w^ill- 
ing to make the gift, which it did on March 3, 1819, 
and the commission proceeded to locate the new capital. 



96 



A Student's History of Illinois 




Old State House in Kaskaskia. The State probably never 
owned a capitol building in Kaskaskia, but rented rooms 
for use of the Territorial and State legislatures. Mr. 
Gustavus Pape, now living in Chester, came to Kaskaskia 
in 1832, and he says the above building was known as the 
Old State House. It recently fell into the river. 



The new city was located about three miles south of where 
the 38th degree of north latitude crosses the Kaskaskia 
river. It was in the midst of a forest with a good spring 
near. There were large areas of excellent farming land 
in that vicinity. The new capital was called Vandalia. 
A wooden building was erected and the State records 
removed to the capitol in December, 1820. A wagon road 
had to be opened a part of the distance from Kaskaskia to 
Vandalia. 

139. Second General Assembly. — The times were very 
liard. Prices were very low, and money extremely scarce. 
There was no specie in the country. The banks of Ohio 
and Kentucky had failed, also the bank in St. Louis, and 
those in Illinois under the law of 1816. Most of the 
immigrants were poor, there was no commerce to bring 
money into tlie State, and niin stared every one in the 
face. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



97 



Under these circumstances the people naturally looked 
to the legislature to remedy the evils of the time. A hill 
was introduced to create n State Bank. This bank was 
to have a capital of $500,000. The board of directors to 
manage this large financial venture was composed of a 
body of men — one from each county — selected by the 
legislature. There was to be a sort of parent bank at 
\^andalia, with branch banks at Edwardsville, Browns- 
ville (in Jackson county), Shawneetown, and at (Albion) 
the county seat of Edwards county. There was not a 
dollar of capital for this bank, the State simply pledged 
its credit and honor for the redemption of the circulation. 

The bill was vetoed but the legislature passed it over 



















Edwardsville Bank Bill. This bill bears date 1821, and was issued 
to the grandfather of Miss Anna Cameron of Upper Alton, 
who kindly loaned it to the author. 



the veto. This paper money fell rapidly in value till it 
was worth not more than twenty-five cents on the dollar. 
Good money such as gold, silver, and United States Bank 
notes disappeared, and only the worthless State Bank bills 
remained. 

140. Price of Land Reduced. — A part of the distress of 
the times came from the indebtedness of the people for 



98 A Student's History of Illinois 

their lands. In 1800 when the lands were put upon the 
market in smaller quantities, the price was fixed at $2 
per acre. One-fourth of this amount or fifty cents per 
acre, must be paid in cash, and on the other three-fourths, 
a credit of several years was given, or if the purchaser 
preferred he could pay all cash at once in which case 
the price was $1.64 per acre. Most people preferred to 
buy on time and such people were careless about making 
the deferred payments. The government became lenient 
and few ever suffered for their negligence in making their 
final payments. By 1820 there was supposed to be owing 
TO the general government more than $20,000,000 for 
lands bought on credit. Congress was memorialized to 
bring some sort of relief to the people. Senator Richard 
M. Johnson of Kentucky introduced a bill which was 
enacted into law providing that those indebted to the 
government for lands might relinquish enough land to 
pay the debt and thus receive a clear title to the rest of 
their land. The law also provided that hereafter the price 
of government land should be $1.25 per acre — cash. 

141. Growth of the State. — The cheaper price of land 
brought new settlers and eleven new counties were laid 
out and organized. The new counties were Alexander, 
Clark, Jefferson, Wayne, Greene, Fayette, Montgomery, 
Lawrence, Hamilton, Sangamon, and Pike — making now 
twenty-six counties in the State. The population l)y the 
census of 1820 was 55,211. It was less than 40.000 in 
1818. This influx of population was very largely from 
the southern states. The State's income for 1819 w^as less 
than $8,000, and a loan of $25,000 was negotiated. There 
were no schools, people were poor, and there was much 
disorder and violation of law. The governor was not 
obliged to live at the capital and so the new capital, 
Vandalia, was deserted at the close of the legislative session 



A Student's History of Illinois 



99 



of 1821. It took on new life, however, at the assembling 
of the legislature in December, 1822, when there was 
begun the hard fight to make Illinois a slave state. 




Capitol at Vandalia. The first capitol at Vandalia was a small wooden struc- 
ture two stories high: It burned December 9, 1823, and another building 
was erected at a cost of about $15,000. This was torn down in 1836, and 
the above building erected. It now serves Fayette County as a county 
court house. 



100 



A- Student's History of Illinois 




From "Washburne's Life of Edward Coles." 
Courtesy and permission of A. C. McClurg- & Co., Chicago. 

GOVERNOR EDWARD COLES. 
1822-1826. 



Edward Coles was born in Virginia, December 17, 17S6. He re- 
ceived some college training though he did not graduate. His 
father was a colonel in the Revolutionary "War and was personally 
associated with Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and 
other patriots and statesmen. Young Coles served as private sec- 
retary to President James Madison. He went as special ambassador 
to Russia in 1S17. On his return trip he visited La Fayette in 
France. He came to Illinois in the spring of 1819. On his way to 
Illinois he freed some twenty or more negro .slaves, but brought 
them on into Illinois and helped them to get started in the world. 
He was a pronounced anti-slavery man. He was registrar of the 
land office in Edwardsville at the time of his election as governor. 
After the election on the slavery question in 1S24, Mr. Coles was 
sued and fined $2,000, for bringing free negroes into the state. His 
fine was remitted by the legislature. In 1833 he moved to Phila- 
delphia where he lived to the ripe old age of 82 years. 



A Student's History of Illinois lOl 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR COLES— A GREAT 

STRUGGLE. 

142. Elected Governor. — Mr. Coles was comparatively 
a newcomer in Illinois when the canvass began for 
governor in 1822. It is said, however, that he was a very 
successfnl electioneerer. He was always well dressed, 
courteous, and dignified. It was understood that Coles 
was an anti-slavery man, while his chief opponent, IVIr. 
Justice Phillips, was in favor of that "peculiar institu- 
tion." The slavery party elected the lieutenant governor 
as well as a majority in both branches of the general 
assembly. 

143. Inaugural. — The legislature convened at Vandalia 
the first Monday in December, 1822. This was on the sec- 
ond, and on the fifth the newly elected governor gave his 
inaugural address. This speech by the governor recom- 
mended — First, that the legislature foster the agricultural 
society which was then in its infancy. Second, he sug- 
gested that a subject of prime importance was the finan- 
cial problem. Third, he was hopeful that the State might 
soon see its way clear to take steps to connect the Missis- 
sippi river with Lake Michigan by means of a canal. 
Fourtli, he was very deeply impressed with the injustice 
of slavery,, and recommended the freeing of the slaves in 
this State. He also called attention to the need of revis- 
ing the laws on kidnapping, and the black laws. This 
speech very greatly disturbed the legislature, as w^ell as 
the people of the State. Nearly all the people had come 
from slave-holding states and whether they ever had 



102 A Student's History of Illinois 

been slave owners or not they were easily touched on this 
subject. 

144. Slavery Sentiment. — That portion of the gover- 
nor's address which related to slavery was referred to a 
committee which brought in a report and a resolution. 
The report reviewed the history of slavery in Illinois up 
to the admission of the State, and advised the calling of 
a constitutional convention. Following this report the 
legislature took action as follows: "Resolved, That 
the general assembly of the State of Illinois (two-thirds 
thereof concurring therein) , do recommend to the electors 
at the next election for the members of the general 
assembly to vote for or against a convention, agreeablj^ to 
the seventh article of the constitution." It was known 
that in the senate the resolution would easily jDass, but 
in the house one vote was lacking to give the constitu- 
tional two-thirds majority. 

To secure this one vote, Nicholas Hansen, an anti- 
slavery member was unseated, and John Shaw a pro- 
slavery man was seated in his stead. The vote was then 
taken, and the call for a convention passed amid great 
rejoicing. 

145. A Bitter Campaign. — And now began one of the 
most important campaigns, because so far-reaching in its 
consequences, that was ever waged in this country. The 
slavery party had become intoxicated with its success. So 
far, the supporters of slavery had succeeded by mere brute 
force and unscrupulous scheming, but now the final vic- 
tory could not be so won. They must go before the people 
and show the advantages of slavery, if it have any. It 
was now a question to be solved by the Christian conscience 
of the people. 

146. The Means. — Both parties to the struggle selected 
the same means for the accomplishment of their ends. 
Among these we may mention : 



A Student's History of Illinois 103 

1. Public appeals through posters, hand bills, and 
pamphlets. 

2. Public addresses given before audiences wherever 
assembled. 

3. Secret societies organized in various parts of the 
State. 

4. Newspapers. 

147. Public Appeals. — Among these public "appeals," 
there were hundreds of pamphlets, tracts, hand bills, and 
flaming posters scattered broadcast over the country. It 
is said some of these pamphlets, bills, etc., were very 
inflammatory. The authors of much of this literature, as 
well as the names of those who distributed it, were not 
known to the general public. But it must not be thought 
that everything of this kind was done in the dark for 
manj^ on both sides were very bold in their work. 

Perhaps no one man by means of his pen, did more 
to bring about the final and triumphant defeat of the 
slavery party than did Morris Birkbeck, of Wanborough, 
Edwards county. His writings were published in the 
Shawneetown Gazette, edited by Henry Eddy. He also 
published pamphlets which were scattered throughout the 
State. The articles published in the Shawneetown Gazette 
were signed Jonathan Freeman, and were widely copied. 

148. Public Speaking, — The second means was the pub- 
lic addresses which the orators delivered wherever and 
whenever they had opportunity. The attractiveness of a 
personal explanation of the value of slavery or of the 
curse of it, drew to the public gatherings vast multitudes 
of people. The county seats were the centers of the agita- 
tion. On all public occasions there was some one ready 
with a speech upon the question of convention or no 
convention. 

149. Secret Societies. — The third agency enumerated 
above, in carrying on the anti-convention campaign, was 



104 



A Student's History of Illinois 



fi kind of secret society. These organizations merely got 
together the people of any locality for consideration of 
the plans of work and for the hearing of reports, and for 
the encouragement of those who might get disheartened. 
There was a sort of parent society in St. Clair county, and 
in other counties thirteen other societies were organized. 

To counteract the work of these societies, the conven- 
tion people organized what they called "executive com- 
mittees" of ten members each. Vandalia was the head- 
quarters for tlie work of the "executive committees." 




Henry Eddy. Mr. Eddy edited the "Illinois Emigrant" in 

Shawneetown, and did valiant service in the 

Slavery Struggle of 1824. 



150. Newspapers.— The fourth agency in this great 
struggle was the newspapers. As soon as it was seen that 
the struggle would have to be settled by the people there 
was an unconscious turning of the people to the news- 
papers for direction anrl information. 



A Student's History of Illinois 105 

There were five papers in Illinois at that time. These 
were : 

The Edwardsville Spectator, Edwardsville. 

The Illinois Intelligencer, Vandalia. 

The Illinois Gazette, Shawneetown. 

The Republican Advocate, Kaskaskia. 

The Republican, Edwardsville. 

The first three were against the convention, while the 
last two named favored the convention. 

151. The Vote. — On the first Monday in August, 
1824, the general election was held and it was in this 
general election that this question must be settled. It was 
an eventful day. The cause of freedom was on trial. 
The jury was the 11,612 voters who had the decision in 
their hands. The result was the occasion of great rejoic- 
ing. The following is the vote for and against the con- 
vention : 

Counties — For Against Counties — For Against 

Alexander 75 51 Lawrence 158 261 

Bond 63 240 Madison 351 563 

Clark 31 116 Marion 45 52 

Crawford 134 262 Monroe 141 196 

Edgar 3 234 Montgomery 74 90 

Edwards 189 391 Morgan 42 432 

Fayette 125 121 Pilce 19 165 

Franklin 170 113 Pope 273 124 

Fulton 5 60 Randolph 357 284 

Gallatin 597 133 Sangamon 153 722 

Greene 164 379 St. Clair 408 506 

Hamilton 173 85 Union 213 240 

Jackson 180 93 Wasliington 112 173 

Jefferson 99 43 Wayne 189 111 

Johnson 74 74 White 355 326 



4972 6640 
Majority against the convention, 1668. 
Some notion may he had of the interest in the con- 
vention question by noting the votes for presidential 



106 



A Student's History of Illinois 




The Black Counties went for Slavery, while the White Counties were 
for Freedom. Johnson County was a tie. 

(Map shows counties as tlu'y were in 1824.) 



A Student's History of Illinois 107 

electors compared with the vote on the convention ques- 
tion. Pope cast 397 votes on the convention proposition, 
while her total vote for electors was 84. Gallatin cast on 
convention question 730 votes, on electors 315. St. Clair 
on convention question 914, on electors 399. 

The total vote cast on the convention was 11,612, while 
the total vote for presidential electors at election in Novem- 
ber of the same year in the thirty counties, was but 4,671. 

152. The Explanation. — Many explanations have been 
offered of the vote on the convention. There were at least 
four distinct elements in the population as regards this 
question. 

1. The remnant of the old French settlers who held 
slaves by reason of the treaties of 1763, and 1783, and of 
Virginia's deed of session of 1784. 

2. The pro-slavery instincts of the immigrants from the 
slave-holding states. 

3. The anti-slavery views of the immigrants from the: 
free states. 

4. The intense feeling against slavery held by the 
English settlers in the eastern part of the State, as well 
as that of other European settlers. 

The first named class lived chiefly in Randolph county, 
St. Clair and Madison. These three counties cast 1,116 
votes for the convention. ' 

The second class had settled in White, Gallatin, and 
Pope counties. These cast 1,225 votes for the convention. 

The result of the vote in Edgar, Clark, Morgan, Sanga- 
mon, and Fulton shows the character of the settlers. They 
voted very largely against the convention. The vote in 
these five counties stood 234 for and 1,464 votes against 
the convention. 

The influence of the English settlers may be seen in 
the vote in Edwards county. But there were Irish, 



108 A Student's History of Illinois 

Scotch, and Germans scattered throughout the State and 
their votes were against slavery. 

153. The Sangamon Country. — The constitution re- 
quired the census of IlUnois to be taken every five years, 
and ahhough the contest over slavery had checked immi- 
gration during 1823 and 1824, yet in the latter part of 
1824 and in 1825 streams of population poured into the 
State from the older settled parts of the Union. Travellers 
who had visited this State carried into the east and even 
into Europe marvellous stories of the Sangamon country. 
This Sangamon region was settled by immigrants from 
all the older states but probably those from the northern 
states predominated. More than 200 families liad settled 
in the "Sangamon Country" before the land was sur- 
veyed. In the vote on the convention question, Sangamon 
county cast 875 votes — 153 for and 722 against the con- 
vention. This would show a population of over 4,000 in 
1824. It also means that these settlers were from the 
free states chiefly. 

154. Invitation to LaFayette. — The summer of 1825 
was a memorable one for the new State, for in the earlier 
days of this summer, a notable guest was entertained by 
the young commonwealth. The guest was none other 
than General LaFayette, soldier, statesman, and patriot. 
The congress of the United States had invited General 
LaFayette to visit the scenes of his early military achieve- 
ment and to mingle once more with the thinning ranks of 
the Revolutionary heroes. 

He arrived at New York August 15, and was received 
by Joseph Bonaparte, a brother to the great Napoleon, 
then a resident of Bordentown, New Jersey, amid the roar 
of cannon and the strains of martial music. Everywhere 
the same profound respect and triumphant welcome 
awaited the nation's guest. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



109 



155. Invitation to Illinois. — Early in the session of the 
general assembly in December, 1824, that body extended a 
cordial invitation to General LaFayette to visit Illinois. 




General LaFayette as he appeared at the time of 

his visit to Kaskaskia and Shawneetown. 

He was then 68 years old. 

This invitation was supplemented by a very affectionate 
letter from Governor Coles. 

On the 12th of April, 1825, LaFayette wrote to Gover- 
nor Coles from New Orleans saying he Avould reach Illi- 
nois about the end of the month of April. On April 28, 
the steamboat Natchez arrived at the old French village of 
Carondolet, below St. Louis, with General .LaFayette and 
his party. The next day he "was royally welcomed by 
Governor Clark of INIissouri in the young city of St. Louis. 

156. Visits Kaskaskia. — On the morning of April 30, 
Saturday the Natchez conveyed LaFayette and a distin- 
guished party to Kaskaskia, the old seat of French empire 
in the west, A vast throng of patriotic citizens bade him 



110 



/ Student's History of Illinois 



welcome. A reception was held at the home of General 
John Edgar. Governor Coles delivered a glowing address 
of welcome to which LaFayette responded with consider- 
able feeling. 

A few old Revolutionary soldiers who had fought with 
LaFayette at Brandywine and Yorktown, were presented. 
The scene was very affecting. 

The party now repaired to the hotel kept by Colonel 




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3 O 



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A Student's History of Illinois 111 

Sweet, where a banquet was spread. This hotel had been 
profusely decorated by the patriotic ladies of the town. 
Laurel wreaths, roses, and wild flowers filled all available 
space. The ladies had also brought the provision with 
which the tables were loaded. Col. Pierre Menard sat at 
LaFayette's right, while the priest, Father Olivier, sat at 
the left. 

The banquet was followed by a grand ball, after which 
LaFayette started on his return to the east by way of the 
Ohio river. At Shawneetown he was received and wel- 
comed with great enthusiasm. 

157. The Election of 1826. — The canvass for the gover- 
norship which took place in the summer of 1826 was a 
long and interesting contest. 

There were three candidates, Ninian Edwards, Thomas 
Sloo, and Adolphus Frederick Hubbard. 

It is said of Edwards that he dressed faultlessly, and 
was a '"man with a noble, princely appearance." He 
made his canvass of the State in all the circumstance of a 
Virginia planter — broadcloth suit, ruffled shirt, high 
topped boots, carriage, and colored servants. He was bold 
in his attack upon the State Bank management and made 
little or no effort to hold his former friends to his cause. 
The opposition argued that Edwards was old, and that he 
and his family and near kin had been holding office since 
the territory was organized. But when election day came 
Ninian Edwards was elected governor for four years. 



112 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR NINIAN EDWARDS. 
1826—1830. 



Ninian Edwards was born in Maryland, March 17, 1775. He was 
graduated from college at the age of 19 and moved to Kentucky 
where he rose rapidly in the profession of law. In 1809 he was Chief 
Justice of the Court of Appeals. Madison appointed him governor 
of Illinois Territory in that year. He served as governor till 1818, 
and was then elected U. S. senator which he held till 1825. He 
was appointed minister to Mexico, but on account of some trouble 
with the national administration he resigned that position and was 
a candidate for governor of Illinois in 1826. He served as governor 
from Dec, 1826 to Dec, 1830. He was a candidate for congress 
but was defeated. He died in 1833 in Belleville of cholera, having 
contracted the disease while ministering to others suffering with 
this dread malady. He was held in high esteem by people through- 
out the state. 



A Student's History of Illinois 113 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERNOR EDWARDS. 

158. Inauguration. — Ninian Edwards was inaugurated 
governor in December, 1826. He delivered his message 
to the legislature in a plain speech in which he took strong 
ground against the State Bank and its management. He 
also discussed taxation, and expenditures. In the 
inaugural message he seems not to have made specific 
charges against the management of the bank ; but in a 
later message, he charged that loans of more than $1,000 
were made on real estate security which, according to the 
terms of the charter, was unlawful. 

159. Management of the Bank. — It was shown that a 
loan for $2,000 was made on real estate security, and 
when the mortgage was foreclosed and the land sold, the 
bank realized only $491.83. It was also shown that 
another loan of $6,625 was secured by real estate valued 
at only $3,140.71. The governor further showed that this 
loan was made to three prominent advocates of the conven- 
tion for the purpose of founding a pro-slavery newspaper 
at Eclwardsville in 1824. 

Further, the governor showed that the officers had 
loaned themselves money greatly in excess of the amounts 
permitted by law. 

The governor kept persistently at the task of exposing 
the corruption and illegality in the management of the 
bank and the legislature was finally forced to appoint a 
committee of investigation. 

A committee of seven took a large amount of testimony 
and reported eventually to the house, and from that report 



114 A Student's History of Illinois 

thcat body "Resolved, That nothing has been prov(Ml 
against the late president, directors, and cashier of the 
branch bank at Edwardsville, which would justify the 
belief that they had acted corruptly and in Ijad faith in 
the management of the affairs of the said bank." To 
Governor Edwards and his friends this looked like a case 
of 'Svhitewashing." 

160. First Penitentiary. — Another very important ac- 
tion taken by this legislature was that of providing a peni- 
tentiary. John Reynolds, who was afterwards governor 
of the State, is to be given credit for this movement which 
resulted in the penitentiary. Governor Reynolds in speak- 
ing of this says: ''I had reflected upon the subject of 
punishment of criminals, and had reached the conclusion 
that the criminal law should be changed, and that the 
ancient barbarous system of whipping, cropping, and 
branding for crime should be abolished and the pentiten- 
tiary substituted. This ancient practice had been in oper- 
ation for ages and it was difficult to change it. . . . 
But the age required the old barbarous system of the pil- 
lory, the whipping post, and the gallows to be cast away, 
and a more Christian and enlightened mode of punish- 
ment adopted." 

161. Selling the Salt Reservation. — Governor Reynolds' 
proposition met with favor, but when the question was 
asked where is the money to come from, no one seemed 
to know. Governor Reynolds was equal to the emergency. 
He proposed to get the consent of congress to sell the 
lands included in the salt reservations in the State AAdiich 
amounted to considerably over 100.000 acres. Congress 
readily consented to the sale, and 40,000 acres were put 
on the market. One-half of the receipts was put into the 
penitentiary, and the other half into improving the roads, 
and clearing the rivers for navigation, in the eastern part 



.[ Student's History of Illinois 115 

of the State. At the suggestion of Mr. Reynolds the peni- 
tentiary was located at Alton. 

162. School Legislation. — The Enabling Act provided 
that section numbered IG in each township, or one of 
equal value, should be granted the State for the use of 
the schools of that township. Again three per cent of 
the net proceeds of the sale of public lands in Illinois was 
given by the general government "for the encouragement 
of learning of which one-sixth part shall be exclusively 
bestowed on a college or university." 

Some legislation in 1821 provided for the opening of 
schools and the establishing of other educational agencies. 

In 1825 Senator Duncan from Jackson county, and 
afterwards governor of the State, secured the passage of 
a law which provided for a school system very much like 
the one we have today. Taxes were to be levied and col- 
lected on the property of the people in the district. There 
was a board of directors who were to have control of the 
school, buildings, examine the teachers, and have general 
oversight of the whole subject. 

In 1826-7 the legislature provided for better securities 
from those who were borrowing the money for which the 
school lands had been sold. But in 1829, the legislature 
repealed the part of the Duncan law of 1825 which gave 
two per cent of the net revenue of the State to the schools. 
Every commendable feature of the Duncan law was later 
repealed and the schools lay j^rostrate till 1855. 

163. The Winnebago War. — In the latter part of Gov- 
ernor Edwards' terms there were indications of trouble 
with the Indians in the northwest part of the State. The 
lead mines in that region drew large numbers of people 
to the northern part of the State und there were conflicts 
between these newcomers and the Indians, and some 
deaths resulted. 

Governor Edwards was appealed to and immediately 



116 A Student's History of Illinois 

dispatched a regiment of militia from Sangamon and 
Morgan counties under command of Col. T. M. Neale. 
General Atkinson, of the United States army, with 600 
regulars appeared upon the scene and quieted the dis- 
turbance without any bloodshed. Several prominent 
Indians were arrested and tried, those found guilty of 
murder were executed, the others turned loose. Black 
Hawk was among those liberated. 

164. The Campaign. — Governor Edwards closed his 
term as chief executive of Illinois amid expressions of 
satisfaction from the people. He turned over the office 
to his successor in December, 1830, and retired to his 
home in Belleville where he died in 1833. His life had 
been indeed a very active one, he having held political 
bffice nearly a quarter of a century. 

In the campaign for governor John Reynolds, who 
already had served a term on the supreme bench and one 
term in the legislature was the leading candidate. Ilin 
opponent was a Rev. "Wm. Kinney. From the descrip- 
tion of the campaign as given by Ford there was not a 
very great difference between the campaign methods oi 
those days and those of today. Mr. Reynolds was elected. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



117 




GOVERNOR JOHN REYNOLDS. 
1830—1834. 

John Reynolds, the fourth governor of Illinois, was born in Penn- 
sylvania, in 1789. He migrated west reaching Kaskaskia, by way 
of Tennessee, in 1800. Received some schooling in the crude schools 
of those days, and attended a college in Knoxville, Tenn. He was 
a lawyer. He fought as a "Ranger" in the War of 1812. Was 
elected a member of the supreme court when that court was or- 
ganized, and later served in the legislature. Following his term as 
governor, he sat in congress one term. He was a prominent citizen 
of the state till his death in 1865. He wrote a "Pioneer History of 
Illinois," "My Life and Times," and "Sketches and Travels." 



CHAPTER XX. 



JOHN REYNOLDS— THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 



165. The New Governor. — The seventh general as- 
sembly met December 6, 1830, and organized. The new 
governor began his term under very favorable circum- 
stances. In his message he formally discussed the follow- 



118 A Student's History of Illinois 

ing subjects as being those upon which he hoped the gen- 
eral assembly might legislate. 

Education. "In the whole circle of your legislation, 
there is no subject that has a greater claim upon your 
attention or calls louder for your aid than that of 
education." 

Internal Improvement. "There cannot he an appropria- 
tion of money within the exercise of your legislative powers 
that will be more richly paid to the citizens than that for 
the improvement of the country." 

The Penitentiary. He reported that the work had pro- 
gressed quite satisfactorily and that twenty-five cells were 
nearing completion, and he hoped the legislature would 
take such action as would carry the enterprise to 
completion. 

The Salines. The State had had charge of the Salines 
since 1818 and very little income had been realized from 
them. He was very desirous that they should be so man- 
aged as to result in a source of income to the State. 

166. The Deep Snow. — The winter of 1830-1 was long 
remembered as "the winter of the deep snow." It is said 
that the winter was a mild one till Christmas. During the 
Christmas holidays a snow storm began and for nine 
weeks, almost every day, it snowed. The snow melted little 
or none and was found to be more than three feet on an 
average. It was, however, drifted very badly in some 
])laces. The old fashioned "stake and rider" fences were 
l)uried in many places with the drifted snow. The long 
country lanes were covered over so that no sign of the 
road was left. On top of this snow, fell rain and sleet 
and formed such a crust that people and stock might w^alk 
on top of the snow. The birds and small game suffered 
very much for want of food, while larger wild game 
became verv tame. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



119 



167. The State Bank. — The charter incorporating the 
State bank of Illinois was passed in 1821, and expired 
January 1, 1831. The end of the bank came therefore 
in Reynolds' term as governor. The State had lost about 
$100,000 in this banking business, and must in some way 
meet this indebtedness. 

Finally, a loan was obtained of a Mr. Wiggins, of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, of $100,000 and the affairs of the bank 
wound up. This was known as "the Wiggins loan" and 
was for many years a great torment to the legislators who 
authorized it. 




Reproduced by courtesy" and permission of McClure, Phillips & Co., 
from Ida M. Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln." Copyright 1900. 



Black Hawk. 



120 /} Student's History of Illinois 

168. Saukenuk.— In the fall of 1830 the Sac and Fox 
Indians left their village, Saukenuk, at the mouth of 
Rock River for their winter hunt. Whites came in and 
occupied the empty huts. The Indians returned in the 
spring of 1831 and attempted to occupy their village. 
This brought on trouble between the whites and the 
Indians. A compromise was agreed to and quiet was 
temporarily restored. But trouble soon arose and the 
governor ordered out the militia. The regulars to the 
number of 600 came to the village. Black Hawk, who 
led the Indians, agreed to move to the west side of the 
Mississippi and to remain there. 

169. The Invasion. — Black Hawk and his followers 
remained on the west side of the Mississippi till the spring 
of 1832. In the early spring of this year, April 6, he 
and his braves crossed to the east side of the river and 
proceeded up the Rock river as if to join the Winnebagoes 
where he said he wished to raise a crop in conjunction 
with that tribe. 

This movement on the part of Black Hawk created 
consternation among the whites all along the northern 
frontier from the Mississippi to Chicago, and the people 
hastily left their homes and took refuge farther south 
where the population was numerous, and means of defense 
ample. Many fled to Fort Dearborn and remained there 
till the war closed. 

Governor Reynolds having been notified of Black 
Hawk's movements decided to take precautionary meas- 
ures. He also received a request from General Atkinson 
for troops, and on the 16th of April the governor issued a 
call for a large body of troops. They were to assemble 
at Beardstown on the 22d of April. From here they pro- 
ceeded to the mouth of Rock river when they were joined 
by the regulars from St. Louis. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



121 





1 
1 ,- 




MM 


to ' 




H^ 


|y|^ 


issyi 


■-m 




.mmm 




1. ■ 

• ,...';' -'I 



The Stillman Valley Monument erected by the State to 
commemorate the death of Twelve Soldiers 
Massacred by Indians at that place. 



170. Stillman's Defeat. — From Saukenuk the two 
armies marched to Dixon on the Rock river. Here the 
army halted. A reconnoitering party of a couple of 
hundred militiamen under Major Stillman was ambushed 
near the present village of Stillman's Valley and twelve 
of its number killed. Other conflicts occurred in the 
vicinity of Kellogg's Grove where other militiamen were 
killed. Black Hawk was worsted in these later engage- 
ments and hastily moved northward. 

He retreated with all his people to the hills of southern 
Wisconsin. General Atkinson followed with nearly 4,000 
men. Upon reaching Burnt Village the army halted. 
Here there seemed so much indecision and lack of plan 
in the campaign that the volunteers became much dis- 



122 



A Student'^ History of Illinois 




Courtesy and permission of Mr. Frank Stevens, 
Author of "The Black Hawk War." 



Indian Creek Monument, erected to commemorate the death of 

Fifteen People Massacred on Indian Creek, about 

fifteen miles northeast of Ottawa. 



couragcd. Food became scarce and desertions were quite 
the order of the day. 

171. Battle of Wisconsin River. — On the hlufl's of the 
Wisconsin river about twenty-five miles northwest of 
Madison the Indians were overtaken. A desperate stand 
was made by Black Ilawk but at the end of the day's 
fighting he crossed the river leaving 68 of his braves dead 
upon the field of battle, and twenty-five more were found 
dead between the Wisconsin and the Mississippi. 



A Student's History of Illinois 123 

The Indians all gathered on tlie east side of the Missis- 
si^Dpi in the region of the mouth of Bad Axe Creek where 
they were attacked hj the soldiers. A few esea])ed into 
Iowa, many were drowned, many killed, and the balance 
captured, Black Hawk being among the prisoners. 

172. The End. — The war was now considered ended and 
the Illinois soldiers were marched to Dixon, where they 
were mustered out and thence returned to their homes. 
Gen. AVinfield Scott had been ordered from Fortress Mon- 
roe and arrived on the 7th of August, 1832, to assist in 
the restoration of order and in the punishment of the 
insolent savages. 

In the summer of 1834 there was another congressional 
election. And although Reynolds' time as governor 
would not be out till December, 1834, yet he announced 
himself a candidate for congress and was elected. The 
lieutenant governor, Zadoc Casey, had resigned two years 
before to go to congress and now Reynolds resigned as 
governor and the burden and honors of the chief magis- 
tracy fell upon the shoulders of Gen. W. L. D. Ewing, who 
served as governor fifteen days until the inauguration of 
Governor Duncan. 



124 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR WM. L. D. EWING. 
Chief Executive from Nov. 17, 1834, to Dec. 3, 1834. 



Governor Ewing was a Kentuckian. He came to Illinois prior 
to 1820, and held a federal appointment in this State under Presi- 
dent Monroe; served in the legislature, and as brigadier general of 
the "Spy Battalion" in the Black Hawk war. He was elected 
president pro tem of the senate in the ninth general assembly 
and thus became the constitutional successor of Governor Reynolds 
upon the latter's resignation. Governor Ewing later served in 
congress as representative and as senator. He also held the office 
of auditor. He died in 1846. 



173. The Campaign. — Mr. Joseph Duncan, member of 
congress, announced his candidacy for governor. He was 
a prominent figure in Illinois and the people were pleased 
to have him make the race for this office. He was opposed 
by Mr. Wm. Kinney. Mr. Duncan did not come to Illi- 
nois to carry on his campaign but depended on his friends, 
and on personal correspondence from Washington. He 
w^as elected. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



125 




GOVERNOR JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
1834—1838. 

Joseph Duncan was born in Paris, Ky., February 22, 1794. He 
served with distinction in the War of 1812. He received a sword 
and a vote of thanlvs from congress for his gallantry in the defense 
of Fort Stephenson in this war. He came to Illinois in 1818, and 
settled in Jackson county, near the famous Fountain Bluff. He 
(vas a inember of the lower house of the general assembly in 
1825. He was the author of the first free school law in this state. 
He served in congress from 1827 to 1834, when he was elected 
governor. He erected the first frame house in Jacksonville and was 
a great friend of Illinois College. He died in Jacksonville in 1844. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



GOVERNOR DUNCAN— STATE BANKING. 



174. Message. — There were two important subjects 
upon wliich he recommended legislation — one was bank- 
ing, the other internal improvement. On the latter sub- 
ject he recommended the laying out of roads now, before 
the country was settled, so that they might run on the 



126 A Student's History of Illinois 

most direct line from one point to another. In response 
to this suggestion the legislature authorized the establish- 
ment of forty-two State roads and at a later special session 
forty more. In addition, a law was passed authorizing 
county commissioners to establish roads within the limits 
of their counties. This public road legislation was only 
an earnest of what was in store for the State within the 
next few years. 

175. Banking.— We have in previous chapters followed 
the financial legislation up to the year 1831, the expiration 
of the charter of the State bank. And we have seen that 
the project ended very disastrously for the State. The 
last act in this ten-year drama was to borrow $100,000 to 
redeem the outstanding issue of the defunct bank. 

The legislature readily agreed v;ith the governor on the 
value of banks when he said "banks may be made useful 
in societv." It should be remembered that the members 
of the general assembly were not elected with any idea 
that such a subject would be before them. It was there- 
fore quite a surpxise to the members of the legislature, as 
well as to the people, when they found themselves creating 
another great banking system. The period from 1834 to 
1838 covers the national financial crisis of 1837. 

The financial story of Illinois at this time is too difhcult 
to be easily understood and it is therefore not discussed 
except in a very meager way. The paper money issued 
bv these Illinois banks soon fell very low in relative value, 
and steps were taken in 1843 to close out these banks but 
they struggled along till the passage of the "Free Banking 
Law" in 1853. 

176. Special Session. — A special session of the general 
assembly was held in December, 1835, to redistrict the 
State into legislative districts following the State census of 
1835. The governor brought before the legislature the 
matter of internal improvements. The sum of $100,000 



A Student's History of Illinois 127 

was borrowed to further the work on the proposed canal 
joining Lake Michigan and the upper waters of the Illi- 
nois river. There was also some bank legislation. 

177. Illinois and Michigan Canal. — The value of a canal 
joining the Illinois river and Lake Michigan was very 
early recognized. Nathaniel Pope explained its impor- 
tance in his argument for the extension of the northern 
boundary of the State from 41 degrees and 39 minutes to 
42 degrees and 30 minutes. Governors Bond, Coles, 
Edwards, and Duncan had all urged the building of this 
canal. 

In 1836 a commission of three men was appointed to 
begin work on the canal. On July 4, 1836, work was 
begun. Congress had granted the right of way from Lake 
Michigan to the Illinois river. 

Town lots were to be sold from this grant in Chicago, 
and at Ottawa. These lots were eagerly sought and labor, 
as well as food products, reached a high price. From the 
day the canal was begun, July 4th, 1836, till it was fin- 
ished in 1848, the State kept steadily at the task although 
at times the work was greatly hampered by reason of 
financial stringency. The total cost was $6,500,000. 

178. A Special Message. — In December, 1835, Governor 
Duncan said in his message to the special session of the 
legislature "When we look abroad and see the extensive 
lines of inter-communication penetrating almost every sec- 
tion of our western states, when we see the canal boat and 
the locomotive bearing, with seeming triumph, the rich 
productions of the interior to the rivers, lakes and ocean, 
almost annihilating time, burthen, and space, what pat- 
riotic bosom does not beat high with laudable ambition to 
give Illinois her full share of those advantages which are 
adornmg her sister states and which her magnificent 
providence seems to invite by the wonderful adaptation 



128 A Student's History of Illinois 

of the whole country to such improvements." And then, 
as if fearful that this oratory would overcome their con- 
servatism, he adds: ''While I would urge the most liberal 
support of all such measures as tending with perfect cer- 
tainty to increase the wealth and prosperity of the State, 
I would at the same time most respectfully suggest the 
propriety of leaving the construction of all such works 
wherein it can be done consistently Avith the general inter- 
est, to individual enterprise." This was indeed wholesome 
advice and had it been taken the State would have greatly 
profited thereby. But internal improvement was in the 
air. The subject was receiving unusual interest in Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. In 1835 there 
were twenty-two railroads in operation in the United 
States, two of which were west of the Alleghanies. In 
addition there were several canals, besides the great Erie 
canal. 

179. Crystallizing Sentiment. — It was argued that Illi- 
nois was unsurpassed in fertility of soil, in variety of 
climate, and agricultural products; timber was plentiful, 
all that w^as needed Avas the means of distribution. Her 
situation relative to the Lakes and the Mississippi was 
superior to that of any other State west of the Alleghanies. 
All that was needed was more people and more enterprises. 
Public meetings were held in which all these facts were 
discussed. 

A move was eventually set on foot for a State conven- 
tion which was appointed to meet in Vandalia at the time 
of the meeting of the legislature early in December, 1836. 
Delegates were appointed from the several counties and 
much interest was manifested. 

180. Improvement Convention. — The delegates who 
had been selected to attend the improvement convention 
assembled in Vandalia several days prior to the opening 
of the legislature. 



A Student's History of Illinois 129 

Many members of the legislature took part in the 
deliberations of the internal improvement convention. 
This convention soon finished its business and adjourned. 
The results of its deliberations were, first, a bill which it 
was expected some friend would introduce into the legis- 
lature; and second, a memorial or plea setting forth the 
advantages, costs, incomes, etc., of this improvement ven- 
ture. In addition, the convention selected a lobbying 
committee that should remain in Vandalia during the 
session and see that timid members did not fail to do 
their duty. 

181. Governor's Message. — The legislature assembled 
early in December, 1836. The governor's message was a 
conservative document for such times. He was heartily 
in favor of the idea of internal improvements, but was 
quite doubtful as to the advisability of the State's under- 
taking the entire financial obligation. He was willing 
that the State should assume a third or a half of the 
responsibility but was not favorable to the assumption of 
the whole burden by the State. 

After the session was fairly open, the bill prepared by 
the convention and the accompanying memorial were pre- 
sented to the house. Resolutions were introduced by 
Stephen A. Douglas favoring State ownership. The sub- 
ject was referred to the committee on internal improve- 
ment, the chairman of which was Edward Smith, of 
Wabash county. 

182. Appropriations. — The bill which had been kindly 
prepared by the convention and presented to the legisla- 
ture, for its endorsement and modification by the house, 
provided for the following internal improvements, and set 
aside the amounts opposite for the carrying out of the 
same: 



130 A Student's History of Illinois 

Improvement of the Wabash, the Illinois, Rock river, 
Kaskaskia, and Little Wabash, and Western Mail 

Route $ 400,000 

Railroad, Vincennes to St. Louis 250,000 

Railroad, Cairo to Galena ?,.500,000 

Railroad, Alton to Mt. Carmel 1,600,000 

Railroad, Quincy to Indiana line 1,800,000 

Railroad, Shelbyville to Terre Haute 650,000 

Railroad, Peoria to Warsaw 700,000 

Railroad, Alton to Central Railroad 600,000 

Railroad, Belleville to Mt. Carmel 150,000 

Railroad, Bloomington to Pekin 350,000 

To pacify disappointed counties 200,000 

Total $10,200,000 

This bill which provided for the construction of so 
many railroads, was sent to the governor, who, together 
with the council of revision, vetoed the measure. But 
when it came back to the general assembly it was speedily 
passed over the veto. This Ijill Avas not the only measure 
of importance before the legislature. There was a bill to 
increase the capital stock of the State Bank $2,000,000, 
and that of the Shawneetown Bank $1,400,000 ; a proposi- 
tion to re-locate the State capital ; and also a proposition to 
enlarge the issue of bonds for the completion of the Illinois 
and Michigan canal. 

183. Moving the Capital. — Mr. Abraliam Lincoln had 
been elected a member of the lower branch of the legisla- 
ture from the Springfield district, and charged with the 
task of securing the removal of the capital from Vandalia 
to Sprinfield. A bill was introduced providing for such 
removal and after considerable "log rolling," Mr. Lin- 
coln secured the passage of the bill locating the capital of 
the State at Springfield. 

Bonds were issued and sold and the money placed at 
the disposal of the Board of Public Works which began 



A Student's History of Illinois 



131 



the construction of the raih-oads provided for in the 
Improvement Act. 

184. State Election. — ^\ ery naturally the most pressing 
question before the people in the campaign of 1838 was 
the one of ^'Internal Improvement." Thomas Carlin, the 
Democratic candidate for governor, was not pronounced 
either for or against the system of internal improvement ; 
Cyrus Edwards, the Whig candidate, came out strongly 
for the svstem. Carlin was elected. 




The Old Shawneetown Bank Building, erected in 1840 at a cost of 

$80,000. This was without doubt the best banking institution 

in niinois prior to the inauguration of the National Banks. 



132 .i Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XXII. 

A PIONEER INDUSTRY. 

185. The Government Surveys. — When the states 
claiming land west of the Alleghany mountains ceded 
their claims in 1781-4, the government passed the Ordi- 
nance of 1785 which provided a system of surveys for the 
territory north of the Ohio. The work of surveying began 
at the western side of Pennsylvania and proceeded slowly 
westward. As reports of these surveyors came to the gov- 
ernment from time to time, more and more was learned of 
the unexplored country. Among other reports which 
came in were those which mentioned the finding of salt 
licks and salt springs. 

On the 18th of May, 1796, congress ordered that the 
surveyors be instructed "to observe closely for mines, salt 
springs, salt licks, and mill-seats." 

In 1799-1800, Wm. Henry Harrison was a delegate in 
congress from the Northwest Territory and was a member 
of the committee on territories. In one of his reports he 
says: 

Upon inquiry we find that salt springs and salt licks on the 
east of the Muskingum and near the great Miami are operated 
by individuals and timber is being wasted; Therefore, we recom- 
mend that salt springs and salt licks, property of the United 
States in the Territory of Ohio, ought to be leased for a term 
of years. 

This became the policy of the government relative lo 
this resource in the Northwest Territory. 

186. Salt Springs Leased. — Wm. Henry Harrison be- 
came governor of the Indiana Territory in 1800. He made 



A Student's History of Illinois 133 

treaties with the Indians with the view of getting posses- 
sion of all the lands which had salt springs or salt licks. 

On the Saline river which rises in Hamilton, Franklin, 
and Williamson, and empties into the Ohio in Gallatin 
county, was found one of the greatest salt licks which is 
to be found in the United States. There was also in the 
immediate vicinity salt springs of strongly impregnated 
water. This lick is within a half mile of the town of 
Equality, Gallatin county, the spring is down the Saline 
river about three miles. 

There are evidences that this lick and the spring and 
wells had been used by the Indians for 100 years before 
the coming of the whites. Above the spring on a bluff 
and also in the vicinity of the lick are vast quantities of a 
strange pottery which is very fully described in the 
September issue of the Popular Science Monthly, for 1877. 
It is believed this pottery w^as used in the evaporation of 
the strong brine, by the Indians, and also by the French. 

These springs, licks, and wells were leased in 1803 to a 
Captain Bell, of Lexington, Kentucky, and in 1807 to 
John Bates of Jefferson county, Kentucky. 

187. Reservations. — Land offices were established in 
Kaskaskia, Vincennes, and Detroit in 1804, and by the 
same law all salt springs, wells, and licks with the neces- 
sary lands adjacent thereto were reserved from sale as the 
property of the United States. On February 12, 1812, 
congress created the Shawneetown land district. Leonard 
White, Willis Hargrave, and Phillip Trammel constituted 
a committee to set aside the lands adjacent to these salt 
works as a "reservation" for the benefit of the salt works. 
The timber was needed for fuel to boil down the brine. 
Something like 100,000 acres of land was reserved from 
the sale in the immediate vicinity of the Great Half 
Moon Lick which was found near Equality. An addi- 



134 ./ Student's History of lUlnois 

lional S4,00() ai-rcs were re.>^erved in otluT soiiilicin lllinoi.s 
c'oinmuiiities. 

188. A Gift to Illinois.— The United States never suc- 
ceeded in getting much rent from these salt works, though 
the parties who leased the works from the government are 
said to have prospered financially. The actual labor was 
performed by negro slaves from Kentucky, Tennessee, 
and perhaps from other slave states. We shall speak of 
this in a later chapter. 

When Nathanial Pope framed the Enabling Act which 
permitted Illinois to make a constitution, he inserted a 
provision that all salt springs, wells, and licks with the 
reservations thereto belonging should become the prop- 
erty of Illinois. These lands could not be sold without 
the consent of congress. The legislature thereafter leased 
these works and collected the profits. 

These salt works never paid the State any adequate 
return for the cost of watching them and collecting the 
rent. The State eventually got the consent of congress to 
sell these reservations. The money was used in construct- 
ing the old penitentiary at Alton and in building roads, 
and in making other improvements on the eastern part of 
the State. 

189. Making Salt. — The salt making process at first 
was very simple. Large iron kettles holding from forty- 
five to ninety gallons each were brought down the Ohio 
from Pittsburg to Shawneetown. Long trenches Avere 
dug in the ground and lined with rock on the sides. The 
kettles were set over these trenches and the spaces between 
filled with mortar or mud, a chimney was constructed at 
one end of the long row of kettles and a fire kept con- 
stantly burning under the kettles which were filled with 
the brine. The brine was gotten by digging wells from 
thirty feet to 2,000 feet deep. 

The fuel was the timber off of the reservation. This 



A Student's History of Illinois 



135 



was easily furnished for a few years, but soon the timber 
was cut for one or two miles. Then the cost of hauling 
fuel to the wells and furnaces was too great to justify the 
continuance of the business. Then was shown real genius 
— then came the real forerunner of the present pipe line 
systems. 

190. The Pipe Line. — The furnaces were now moved to 
the timber in some instances some three or four miles 




A Section of a Wooden Pipe used in the Salt Works at Equality. Many 
of these wooden pipes are still buried in the ground in that locality. 

away. The water was carried to the furnaces in wooden 
pipes. These pipes were made by cutting down trees 
about ten to sixteen inches in diameter and into lengths 
of from twelve to twenty feet. A two-inch auger hole was 
bored endwise through these logs. At the butt end the 
opening was reamed out, while the smaller end of another 
log was trimmed to enter this enlarged opening. The 
small end was inserted into the butt end and the joint 
made secure by a sort of battering-ram. 

To prevent the butt end from splitting, iron bands were 



136 yl SUidoit's History of Illinois 

fitted over tlio loii,. These wooden pipe lines ran strai.a;lit 
from the wells to the tiiiiher, over small hills and across 
streams. To force the water over the small hills a sort of 
standpipe was constructed at the well high enough to force 
the water over all points between the wells and the fur- 
naces. In crossing the streams the pipe line was forced 
to the bottom of the water by heavy iron riders said to 
weigh several hundred pounds. 

These old furnaces, pipe lines, and wells are to be seen 
today, although this process was abandoned about 1840. 
Coal came to be used as fuel and new furnaces were con- 
structed at the wells. Evaporating pans from twelve to 
sixteen fet wide, twenty feet long and twelve inches high, 
and constructed of boiler iron were used instead of kettles. 
Steam was used for power and modern machinery took the 
place of hand labor. 

191. Palmy Days. — In the days of the pipe line system, 
there were hundreds of men employed, lumbermen, wood 
haulers, firemen, hands to attend the evaporating pans, 
coopers, inspectors, store-keepers, rivermen, hoop-pole mer- 
chants, and overseers. The pipes were first bored by hand 
but soon a horsepower auger was arranged. .Negro slaves 
were the principal laborers. Later when the improved 
machinery, etc., was used, they made as much as 500 
barrels a day. The manufacture of salt ceased about 
Equality in 1870. 

192. The Half Moon Lick. — This lick is a very great 
wonder. It is twenty-five or thirty feet deep and covers 
about ten or fifteen acres. Heavy timber grows all about 
it, but nothing within the lick except shrubbery. 

Salt was made in large quantities in an early day in 
Monroe county, nine miles due west of Waterloo ; in Madi- 
son on Silver creek; in Bond on Shoal creek; in Jackson 
on Big Muddy. Salt was manufactured in Vermillion 
county also. 



A Student's History of Illinois 137 



Governor Thomas Carlin. 1838-1842. 

Thomas Carlin, the sixth governor of Illinois, was born of Irish 
ancestry In Kentucky, 1789. He served in the War of 1812 and 
in the Black Hawk War. His education was limited, but he was 
a man of common sense and great firmness of character. He had 
been a Sheriff, State Senator, and Registrar of the Land Office at 
Quincy. He died in Carrollton in 1852. 



CHAPTER xxnr. 

COLLAPSE OF IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM. 

193. Divided Opinion. — In Governor Duncan's last 
message to the legislature in December, 1838, he again 
took decided ground against continuing the internal 
improvement plans. He pointed out with prophetic fore- 
sight the evils of the "system." The incoming governor 
took a different position. He endorsed the principle that 
the State instead of individuals or stock companies should 
carry on these great improvements. However, he thought 



138 A Student's History of Illinois 

that if he had been governor at the time that the system 
was inaugurated he would not have been in favor of such 
far reaching enterprises. He felt that since over ten 
millions of dollars had already been spent in the prose- 
cution of the original plans, it would be harmful to the 
good name of the State to attempt any curtailment. 

194, Increased Expenditures. — Evidently Gov. Carlin's 
views impressed themselves upon the legislators for they 
immediately enlarged the scope of the former plans by 
the expenditure of several hundred thousands of dollars 
additional. The governor's views are further reflected in 
a report from the committee on internal improvement in 
which the chairman took the stand that individuals or 
corporations ought not to be encouraged or even permitted 
to engage in railroad building in competition with the 
State. 

At this session of tlie legislature the governor was 
authorized to borrow $4,000,000 to further the construc- 
tion of the canal. He appointed ex-Governor John 
Reynolds and Richard ]\I. Young to negotiate this loan. 
Governor Reynolds and Senator Young visited New York 
and placed large quantities of the bonds. Governor 
Reynolds and two of the fund commissioners eventually 
went to London where other large financial transactions 
took place. The financial agents of the State were reck- 
less and in several instances disregarded the law. As a 
result, when the whole affair came to light it appeared 
that out of all the transactions the State was loser to the 
extent of half a million dollars caused by the bungling 
way in which the loans were made. 

195. Special Session. — Through the summer of 1839 
the people were doing more thinking than they had done 
for some time, and it was easy to figure that it would take 
something over $20,000,000 to finish the improvements as 
they had been planned. It was just as easy to see that 



A Student's History of Illinois 139 

at six per cent interest the annual interest charge would 
be in the neighborhood of $1,300,000. The annual ex- 
pense of carrying on the State government consumed all 
the income of the State from taxation. The work on the 
railroads was being pushed vigorously in many localities 
and large quantities of money were being paid out. 

When the governor came to grasp the situation fully, 
he decided to call the legislature together for the purpose 
of considering the aj^palling state of affairs. The legisla- 
ture met on the 9th of September, 1839, and listened to 
the opinion of the governor on the outlook. It had only 
been one short year since Governor Duncan had plead very 
earnestly with the legislature to check the growing ten- 
dency to reckless venture in the internal improvement 
schemes. Governor Carlin, at that time, as earnestly sug- 
gested the continuance of the "system." But now we see 
him facing the other way. He recommended to this spe- 
cial session such legislation and such management as 
would complete some particular road so that a revenue 
might be realized as soon as possible. 

196. Reversing the Policy. — The legislature was quick 
to take a hint. And while there Avas an effort to continue 
certain phases of the work the general feeling was that the 
safest and sanest thing to do was to reverse completely the 
policy. Laws were passed abolishing the board of fund 
commissioners and the board of public works. One fund 
commissioner was then authorized to act but without 
power to sell bonds or to borrow money on the credit of 
the State. A board of public works, consisting of three 
members was created. This fund commissioner and this 
board of public works were to wind up all business with- 
out delay, pay off all contractors in orders on the treasury, 
and discharge all employees except such as were absolutely 
necessary to wind up the business. All bonds unsold were 
to be returned and burned. The new board of public 



140 



A Student's History of Illinois 



works was to take charo;c an<l oporato any roads wliicli 
were near completion. 

The work on the IlUnois aiul Miehio;an canal was imt 
checked. 

The "Great Northern Cross Railroad," which was being 
constructed from Springfield to Quincy was completed 
from Meredosia to Jacksonville, a distance of about 
twenty-five miles. The total cost of the road between 
these points was $1,000,000. An engine was put on in 




Old Capitol in Springfield, now used as the Sangamon County 

Court House. 



1842. The income was not as large as the expense and in 
the course of a vear or so the engine was taken off and 
the road was leased and run by mule power for several 
years. It was eventually .sold for $100,000, which was 
paid for in State bonds which were worth twenty-one cents 
on the dollar. In 1840 our indebtedness w^as more than 
$14,000,000. 

197. The New Capitol. — The special session of the 
legislature held in 1889 met in S])ringfield, the new capi- 



A Student's History of Illinois 141 

tal. Churches were used by the house, the senate, and the 
supreme court. The new building which was under con- 
structicn was to be a very elegant and commodious build- 
ing, located in the center of the square, and was 123 feet 
long, 89 feet wide, and 44 feet high. It was constructed 
from native stone quarried only a few miles from the 
town. At the north and south ends very large round 
pillars supported a projecting portico, and the whole was 
surmounted by a dome of proper proportion. It is still 
standing and has been extensively repaired, and enlarged 
by putting an extra story between the basement and what 
was formerly the first story. It is now the court house for 
Sangamon county. 

198. Great Orators. — The great "Tippecanoe and 
Tyler too" campaign of 1840 was warmly contested in 
Illinois. It was in this campaign that the wonderful powers 
of Lincoln and Douglas as public orators became known 
through the State and the nation. The Whigs planned 
a large meeting in Springfield in June, 1840. Lincoln 
was one of the five presidential electors and he was very 
anxious not to be defeated. To this meeting came 20.000, 
some said 50,000, people. They came from as far north 
as Chicago. It took fourteen teams to bring the Chicago 
delegation and they were three weeks on the journey. 
They brought a two-masted ship with a band of music 
and a six pound cannon. Delegations came from all 
directions. A log cabin was drawn in the procession by 
thirty yoke of oxen, and in a hickory tree planted by the 
side of this cabin live coons were playing; a barrel of hard 
cider stood near the door. Lincoln made a great speech, 
possibly several during the day, from a wagon. Thou- 
sands of people crowded around him. He was then only 
thirty-one years old, but was rapidly coming into public 
favor. 

The Democrats held enthusiastic gatherings throughout 



142 A Student's History of Illinois 

the State at which eloquent speakers praised the virtues 
of "little Van." The Democrats carried Illinois by a 
majority of 1,939. 

199. Repudiation. — There was some talk in the years of 
1839-40-41, of repudiating the State's great debt. This 
is usually considered a very unpatriotic proceeding. A 
state may, however, repudiate its debt and there were 
those who were favorable to such action. Of course few 
public men talked of repudiation openly, but privately 
many were favorable to it. Governor Ford, in his history, 
says: "It is my solemn belief that when I came into 
office, I had the power to make Illinois a repudiating 
State." Governor Ford means that all the people needed 
was a bold leader. But no legislative action was ever taken 
which looked toward repudiation. The State's indebted- 
ness was eventually paid and the honor of the State 
saved. 

200. Conventions. — Conventions for the nomination of 
candidates were a part of the party machinery by 1842. 
It appears also that people in those days believed in long 
drawn out campaigns, for as early as December, 1841, the 
Democratic State convention was held in Springfield for 
the nomination of candidates for State offices. The 
honors fell upon Adam W. Snyder, of St. Clair county, 
for governor. In the spring of 1842 ex-Governor Duncan 
became the Whig candidate for governor. The campaign 
promised to be a very interesting one because of the Mor- 
mon problem which was just then attracting attention. 
The INIormons had made liberal requests upon the legisla- 
ture and it appears that Mr. Snyder, who was a member 
of that body, had been quite active in assisting them to 
secure what they desired. This fact was used against him 
and would probably have seriously hindered him in his 
canvass. But in the earlv summer Mr. Snvder died and 



A Student's History of Illinois 143 

it was necessary for the party to put forward another 
standard bearer. 

201. Thomas Ford. — A democratic caucus was called 
at Springfield in June, and Thomas Ford, a judge on the 
supreme bench, was selected as the candidate. Judge 
Ford was an ideal candidate for office — he was not an office 
seeker. The times were indeed in need of a wise counselor 
and a courageous leader and no one was better fitted to 
save the State from the impending dishonor of repudiation. 

202. The Canvass. — The canvass was spirited, the chief 
topics being the Mormons, the canal, the banks, and the 
claims of AVisconsin to the fourteen counties in the north- 
ern part of the State. Duncan had the advantage of pre- 
vious campaigning and was, besides, a strong candidate. 
Judge Ford no doubt thought it wise not to express too 
freely his views upon the troublesome questions — for they 
were all troublesome — and so was accused by Duncan of 
keeping from the people his real position on the questions 
of the day. When the ballots were counted Ford had 
beaten Duncan by over 8,000 votes. 



144 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

ANOTHER SHORT RETROSPECT. 

203. Signs of Growth. — The wonderfully rapid advance 
in the State up to 1840 may be shown in many ways, but 
in none better than by that of the growth in population, 
towuis, counties, and industries. By the end of 1840 there 
were eighty-eight counties organized. The population of 
the State by the census of 1840 was 476,183. In 1830 it 
was only 157,445. Of course this wonderful increase in 
population came chiefly from immigration. This came 
from the northeast, and found its way into the northern 
counties. 

These immigrants brought with them some money; 
this, together w4th that being distributed by the con- 
tractors on the railroads and the canal, made money quite 
plentiful. However, this money did not last long for 
people in the flush of good times were buying greatly 
beyond their needs. 

The growth of towns was not the least mark of progress 
visible from 1830 to 1840. At the time of the moving 
of the capital from Vandalia to Springfield the latter town 
had a population of some 1,500, and while everything 
about the town was prosperous, it was crude. The roads 
were frequently impassable, the houses were such as are 
usually found in a new town, but the people were energetic 
and full of hope. 

The new State House had been commenced in 1837. 
Jacksonville, Chicago, Alton, Quincy, Galena, and Nauvoo 
were large towns, most of them chartered cities. The 
county seat was usually the largest town in the county, 



A Student's History of Illinois 145 

and was marked by a good courthouse and a fairly good 
jail. Hotels were becoming differentiated from resi- 
dences, and churches were being erected in all large towns. 

204. Newspapers. — We have already made mention of 
the five newspapers that took part in the convention 
struggle. The increase in numbers was not very marked 
before 1830, but from that date on there was a very rapid 
growth in the establishing of newspapers. The news- 
papers which were established in the county seats were 
owned, or at least controlled, by the politicians. There 
was no great demand for newspapers on the part of the 
merchants or professional men and only those deeply 
interested in politics got much from their perusal. 

There were no daily papers in Illinois till 1847, when 
the Gazette at Galena was begun, June 1. ''The old time 
editor was one of nature's most perfect composites. In 
the office he was type-setter, job-printer, pressman, book- 
keeper, business manager, and editor. He was prominent 
in every movement that was for the benefit of his town. 
He was secretary for his party conventions and commit- 
tees. Sometimes he was the leader in the church and 
superintendent of the Sunday School, and sometimes he 
did a great deal more than his share towards raising the 
government revenue." 

205. Religion. — Godly men and women everywhere 
were active in the work of the church. In the earlier days 
the preaching was done in private houses, in vacant build- 
ings, or in groves. Before 1840 churches were erected in 
many rural communities. These were at first constructed 
of logs, but later frame buildings were erected. There 
are such buildings now standing in some parts of Illinois 
which were erected as early as 1840. However, school 
houses were often used for religious purposes. Rural bury- 
ing grounds were frequently located near the neighbor- 
hood church and both were usually placed near the public 



146 



// Stitiient's History of Illinois 




aifO 



Places and Things of Interest. 



A Student's History of Illinois \A7 

road. But church building was much more active in the 
towns than in the country. Chicago had a Presbyterian 
church house as early as 1834. The same year the Epis- 
copal church was organized but it was 1835 before they 
erected what afterward came to be known as St. James' 
chapel, a modest brick building. 

It cannot be affirmed that the preachers of these early 
days were always men of culture and education. But it 
can be truthfully said that they were men full of zeal and 
of self-sacrifice. They were physically strong and morally 
courageous. Theirs was a work requiring great physical 
endurance. A large part of their time was spent on horse- 
back in going from one appointment to another. This 
gave excellent opportunity for reflection. 

In addition to the regular preaching service which 
might be held in the home, the vacant house, or the 
church, there was a form of religious meeting in these 
early days known as the campmeeting. 

206. The Campmeeting. — Possibly the first campmeet- 
ing in Illinois was held by the Rev. Jesse Walker, a 
Methodist circuit rider, about 1807. In the summer of 
that year he held two campmeetings, one at Shiloh, in St. 
Clair county, six miles northeast of Belleville, and one in 
Madison county, a few miles south of Edwardsville. The 
plan was to select a site where there was plenty of shade 
and good water. All the friends were invited to come and 
assist in clearing up the ground, building seats, and put- 
ting up tents. When things were in readiness the place 
was dedicated with a season of prayer. To this place 
people came for miles. They camped and stayed for sev- 
eral days. There was an early morning service before the 
breakfast was eaten, another about ten in the forenoon, 
one at about three in the afternoon, and a fourth one at 
night. This latter was the chief service of the day. 
Lights were hung about the grove, and men acted as 



148 



A Student's History of Illinois 



watchmen to guard property and to keep order. The con- 
gregation joined in singing — ahvays from memory, — 
prayers were offered, and experiences given. The preacher 
then launched into a two hours' exposition of the scrip- 
ture, dwelHng particularly and forcibly on the certainty 
of eternal damnation for those who should die in their 
sins. The weird situation in the stillness of the forest, 
the apparent authority with which the minister denounced 
their sins, and the singing, shouting, and praying of the 




Rev. Peter Cartwright. 

vast multitude was enough to bring the hardest sinners to 
a serious consideration of their lost condition. This form 
of religious revival continued to be popular till the middle 
of the last century. 

207. Peter Cartvi^right. — The most noted pioneer 
preacher in Illinois was the Rev. Peter Cartwright. lie 
came into Illinois in 1824, after a residence of several 
years in Kentucky. From the date of his coming to this 



A Student's History of Illinois 149 

State till the year of his death he was intimately identified 
with the work of sjireading the gospel in nearly every sec- 
tion of the State. He served in the legislature and was 
otherwise interested in politics. ■ Many stories are told of 
his power as a preacher, and his vigorous opposition to 
wrong doing wherever he found it. 

He was a warm friend of education and says himself 
that he was instrumental in putting ten thousand dollars 
wT)rth of books into the homes of the pioneers of Illinois. 
He was a member of the Methodist church. 

208. Churches in Chicago. — The Rev. Jeremiah Porter, 
who organized "The First Presbyterian Church of Chi- 
cago,'' was a sort of chaplain to the army at Sault Ste. 
Marie, Michigan, in the autumn of 1831. While here he 
heard of the building of the first lighthouse in Chicago, 
and of the making of a port of entry at the mouth of 
the Chicago river. In 1832 considerable interest was 
created concerning the village of Chicago on account of 
the Black Hawk war, and the cholera in General Scott's 
army at that point. 

In May, 1833, Mr. Porter moved to Chicago. He says 
that Avhen he arrived in Chicago there were at that place 
probably 300 people including two companies in the 
fort. 

There Avas no building except the log school house in 
which the people could worship. A young man by the 
name of Philo Carpenter had been conducting a sort of 
Sunday School with a few Christians. Here ^Ir. Porter 
met an old schoolmate, Mr. John Wright, who was deeply 
interested in religious work. Methodist circuit riders had 
preached in Chicago. The Rev. Jesse Walker preached 
monthly in the log school house. There was no church 
nearer than Princeton. j\Tr. Porter says that two officers. 
three wives of officers, and ten soldiers of the fort were 
Christians. With these religious people of the fort, to- 



150 .1 Student's History of Illinois 

gether with a few people of the village, the Rev. Porter 
organized the first Presbyterian church in Chicago, June, 
1833. 

209. Baptists. — The Baptists soon after organized a 
church in a log school house with the Rev. Allen B. Free- 
man as pastor. The first church was built by the Rev. 
Porter at the cost of $600. It was dedicated January 4, 
1 834. The Baptists and Presbyterians worshiped together 
till this building was completed. In December, 1834, the 
Baptist pastor, the Rev. Freeman, died. There were four 
preachers present at the funeral, Rev. J. W. Hallam, of 
the Episcopal church; Rev. John Mitchell, of the Metho- 
dist church ; Reverend Ambrose, of the Baptist church, 
and the Reverend Porter. 

210. Other Churches. — Mr. J. H. Kinzie, who laid out 
the town, was instrumental in establishing an Episcopal 
church. This was done with the Reverend Dyer as pastor, 
in the fall of 1834. 

The Methodists built a church and school house as 
early as 1834 and had a pastor, Rev, John Mitchell, a 
graduate of Illinois College. 

The Catholics had in Col. J. Baptiste Beaubien, post- 
trader for the American Fur Company, and in his family 
staunch supporters. A house of worship for Catholics Avas 
built as early as 1834. It was a frame house and stood on 
Madison street near Wabash avenue. The first priest was 
Father St. Cry. The only brick church was the one built 
by the Episcopal Congregation. 

211. Education.— The cause of education had not pros- 
pered greatly prior to 1840. From 1829 to 1855 there was 
no free public school system such as we have today. 
Schools were maintained by subscriptions from those send- 
ing to them, supplemented by the distribution of a small 
fund to the teachers of the township in proportion to their 



A Student's History of Illinois 



151 



attendance of pupils. In spite of this discouraging situa- 
tion the people maintained schools quite generally. 

212. Shurtleff College.— Without doubt the Rev. J. M. 
Peck, without whose life work the history of Illinois 
would be incomplete, was the first person to take definite 
action looking toward the establishment of a seminary or 
college. On New Year's Day, 1826, he invited all who 
were interested in a seminary to meet at his home, and at 
this meeting it was decided to found "The Theological 




The Theological Seminary and High School. First College in Illinois. 



152 A Student's History of Illinois 

Seminary and Ilio-li School." Mr. Peck lived at Rock 
Springs, a village eiglit and a half miles northeast of 
Belleville, St. Ckiir county. Here the seminary was to be 
located. Dr. Peck had already solicited funds for such a 
school and to these funds additional ones were now added. 
The board of trustees elected the Rev. Joshua Bradley, 
principal, Dr. J. M. Peck, professor of Christian theology, 
and John Messenger, professor of mathematics and natural 
philosophy. There were enrolled the first year more than 
a liuiidrcd students. The school flourished, and in 1831 
it was transferred to Alton where it became the foundation 
of Shurtleff College. 

213. McKendree College. — At the meeting of the Illi- 
nois Conference of the M. E. church in Mt. Carmel in 
September, 1827, a petition from Greene county prayed 
for the establishment of a seminary of learning to be 
under the control of the conference. A committee w^as 
appointed to take the matter under advisement. The 
people of White Hall, Greene county, had actually com- 
menced buildings, but in February, 1828, the people of 
Lebanon had taken action and had begun to build a 
seminary. The conference of 1828 suggested to unite the 
two and locate the schol at Lebanon. This was done, and 
the school opened in an old public school building on 
November 24, 1828. E. R. Ames, afterward bishop in 
the M. E. church, was principal, and a Miss McMurphy 
was assistant. They enrolled seventy-two students. The 
income was $464.41, of which the principal got $115 and 
Miss McMurphy got $83.33 for the first term of five 
months. This was the humble beginning of McKendree 
College. 

214. Illinois College. — The Presbyterians were also 
deeply interested in the cause of education. One of their 
ministers, the Rev. John M. Ellis, seemed to bear a load 
of responsibility for the founding of a college. He soli- 



A Student's History of Illinois 153 

cited funds for that purpose. In 1828 he was on a trip 
to the Sangamon country and passed through Jackson- 
ville. He liked the country very much, and immediately 
decided to found here a college or seminary. He bought 
eighty acres of ground about one mile north of the cele- 
brated Diamond Grove, and here Illinois College was 
founded. The school was opened in small buildings Jan- 
uary 1, 1830. Dr. Edward Beecher was made president. 
Prof. John Russell, of Bluffdale, Greene county, delivered 
the inaugural address. It was delivered in Latin, greatly 
to the edification of the scholarly gentlemen present. Pro- 
fessor Russell had served as teacher in Shurtleff College 
one year and was the most finished scholar in the west at 
that time. 

215. Jubilee College. — Philander Chase was made 
bishop of Illinois (Episcopal) in 1835. He visited Eng- 
land and solicited funds with which to found a college 
in Illinois. This college was located near Peoria in 1838. 
A tract of land of 3,910 acres originally belonged to the 
college. The college buildings were very extensive for 
those days. On this immense tract of land there were 
farms, stock, a sawmill, etc. All profits from the land 
went to the college. 

216. Jonesboro College. — This college was chartered 
in the Omnibus Bill of -1835. The school was to be 
founded by the Christian church, but it seems no progress 
was ever made in the matter of collecting funds, and the 
school was never opened. 

The friends to higher education in Illinois prior to the 
year 1840 were found chiefly among the zealous religious 
workers. Nearly all the agitation concerning education 
was by preachers and missionaries; and all the practical 
beginnings were fostered by the friends of the church. 

This brief survev is sutticient to show that there was no 



154 A Student's History of Illinois 

lack of appreciation of the advantage of a liberal educa- 
tion amono; our pioneer fathers. 

217. Society. — The social side of life was improving. 
Towns, churches, and schools greatly added to the tone 
of social life. Lincoln wrote to Miss Mary Owen about 
1838-40: "I am afraid you would not be satisfied. There 
is a great deal of flourishing about in carriages here 
(Springfield) which it would be your doom to see with- 
out sharing it. You would have to be poor without the 
means of hiding it." ''We used to eat altogether but about 
this time, 1838, some one came along and told the people 
they ought not do so — and then the hired folks ate in the 
kitchen." There was some attention given to social mat- 
ters in all the towns of any size, but in the country 'tis true 
the social standard was quite low. 

In some of the northern counties the lands were not on 
the market by 1840. But settlers had selected their claims 
and had made improvements on them expecting just as 
soon as the land came into the market to enter the tract 
they had improved. There was a sort of unwritten law 
that all settlers were to stand by one another as against a 
speculator or what was known as "claim jumpers." 

There were in some of the northern counties bands of 
rogues, thieves, and toughs generally, who made life miser- 
able and property insecure. They dominated the courts 
in large measure and in various ways kept free from 
punishment. A new courthouse just finished in Oregon, 
Ogle county, in 1841, was burned by friends of seven out- 
laws who were then in jail, in the hope that the prisoners 
would make their escape from the jail near by. The good 
people were forced to form themselves into companies. of 
regulators for the safety of life and property. A very 
noted family were known to be very hardened criminals, 
and they were ordered to leave the neighborhood. A Cap- 
tain Campbell, of the regulators, was shot in cold blood 



A Student's History of Illinois 



155 



by some one of this family. A mob caught two of the 
members, father and son, and after a regulator's trial, sen- 
tenced them to be shot, the whole company of regu- 
lators firing at once upon the two culprits as they knelt 
])lindfolded before their executioners. This reads like a 
vigorous remedy, but it may have been the only one which 
this early people could find that was efi^ective. 




A School House of the Early Days. 



But lawlessness was not confined to the northern 
part of the State. The murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy in 
Alton in 1837 reveals the unsettled state -of society. 

Mr. Lovejoy was a young man who came from Maine 
to the new west in 1828. He taught school some, but 
eventually took up newspaper work in St. Louis. He was 
outspoken against slavery and as a result his press was 
damaged by a mob and his life threatened. 



156 



A Student's History of Illinois 



He decided to move his press to Alton, Illinois. The 
press was broken to pieces and thrown into the river when 
it was landed on the wharf. Another was bought but 
shortly destroyed by a mob. Two more presses were 
destroyed — making four in all. 

In his efforts to defend his fourth press he was shot to 
death by the mob. He was buried by his brother, Owen 
Lovejoy, who took a vow of enmity against slavery which 
he kept through a long and honorable career. 

The State has erected a beautiful monument at his 



grave. 




Lovejoy Monument erected at a cost of $30,000, the State 
appropriating $25,000. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



157 




GOVERNOR THOMAS FORD, 
1842-1846. 

Thomas Ford was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800. His 
father was killed by the Indians in 1802. Young- Ford's mother 
came west in 1804. She seems to have been very desirous that 
her children do well. Thomas first learned carpentry and later 
studied law. He filled many public offices before he became gov- 
ernoi'. Governor Ford was a quiet, dignified, and honest man. He 
wrote a history of Illinois covering the period from the admi.s- 
sion of the state into the union to the end of his term as governor 
in 1846. He died in Peoria in 1850. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



TROUBLESOME QUESTIONS. 



218. Depression. — Governor Ford's inaugural message 
was full of vigorous suggestions for the legislature. He 
was in favor of paying every dollar of the State's indebted- 



158 A Student's History of Illinois 

ness, he favored finishing the canal, and declared the 
banks should resume specie payment or suffer their busi- 
ness to be wound up by the State. He found the annual 
expense of carrying on the State government $170,000 
per year, while the receipts were only $140,000, leaving a 
deficit of $30,000 each year. In this way a floating debt 
had grow^n to $313,000. Auditor's warrants on the State 
treasury were selling for fifty cents on the dollar, while 
the internal improvement bonds were worth but fourteen 
cents on the dollar. No one seemed to know just what to 
do ; all were appalled by a bonded indebtedness of some- 
thing near $15,000,000. Many were in favor of public 
repudiation though not openly announcing their views. 

219. Canal Plan. — Mr, Justin Butterfield, of Chicago, a 
lawyer of eminent ability, and withal a patriotic man, 
brought forward a scheme for the completion of the canal. 

This was a proposition to the holders of the canal bonds 
to advance $160,000, the amount thought necessary to fin- 
ish the canal, and to take a lien on the canal and all its 
property together with its income. This loan and all 
bonds held by those who would advance this money were 
to become a sort of i)referred claim against the canal and 
its interests. This, after considerable investigation and 
consideration was agreed to and the completion of the 
canal assured. 

220. The Banks. — The next thing in which the gov- 
ernor was interested was the State Bank. He drew a bill 
himself which provided that the banks, which held more 
than $3,000,000 of bonds, auditor's warrants, etc., against 
the State, should turn them over to the State, while the 
State should surrender a like amount of bank stock, dollar 
for dollar. This arrangement with the two banks reduced 
the State's indebtedness over $3,000,000. 

221. A Brighter Outlook. — A resolution was passed by 
the general assembly which pledged the State to the pay- 



A Student's History of Illinois 159 

ment of every dollar of indebtedness which had been con- 
tracted in the internal improvement venture. All that 
was done by this legislature under the guidance of Gov- 
ernor Ford seems to have been safe and sane. At least 
it was so res'arded at the time, for auditor's warrants rose 
from fifty cents on the dollar, at the beginning of Ford's 
term, to ninety cents and above. State bonds were four- 
teen cents on the dollar at the beginning of the administra- 
tion and before Ford went out of office they were fifty 
cents. 

It is also said that as much as $5,000,000 of the debt 
was canceled by the increase in the value of the lands and 
appurtenances of the canal and railroad. Again, at the 
close of Governor Ford's term the floating debt was 
$31,212 instead of $313,000 as at the beginning. In 
many ways there was a restoration of confidence. Immi- 
gration was renewed and the population reached three 
quarters of a million. 

222. The Mormons. — The body of religious people 
known as Mormons, had its origin in western New York 
about 1823. These people moved through Ohio to Mis- 
souri and settled near Kansas City. They were driven 
from Missouri and fled to Illinois settling on the Mis- 
sissippi river in Hancock county. Here they built a thriv- 
ing city which they named Nauvoo. Among the things 
of interest in this city was their temple, a structure some 
128 feet long and 88 feet wide and four stories high. 

These people secured from the legislature a charter for 
their city which gave extraordinary powers to the officers 
thereof. They also secured the right to organize a body 
of militia of two or three companies which the State pro- 
vided with guns, cannon, and munitions. The city court 
could grant the writ of habeas corpus and in this way the 
officers of the law in the rest of the State could be defied. 
The voters entered politics and could thereby hold the 



160 



A Student's History of Illinois 



balance of power between the Whigs and the Democrats. 

Their religious beliefs, so it was claimed, led them to 
do many things which were contrary to the standards of 
other good people, and the Mormons and Gentiles were 
soon at swords points, Joseph Smith, their leader, was 
accused of certain crimes for which he was arrested and 
lodged in the Hancock county jail. Here he was set upon 
by a mob and killed. Shortly thereafter his followers 
decided to move west and after a year of preparation they 
departed. They eventually settled near the great Salt 
Lake, where they built the present city of Salt Lake. 
Many individual families rejected certain doctrines and 
practices held by their leaders and when the main body 
moved to Salt Lake City these remained in Illinois, Iowa, 
or IMissouri. This explains |)roljably the presence of ]\Ior- 



>r >>'. 



■•7^ ■ -* if: f 




The Hancock County Jail. 



A Student's History of Illinois 161 

mons in these states. Nauvoo, at the time the Mormons 
departed for the west, was a thriving city. Their homes 
were sold to "Gentiles" among whom were a people known 
as the Icarians. 

223. The Icarians. — About the time the Mormons left 
Nauvoo, a body of French immigrants arrived at New 
Orleans — some from Mexico and others from France. 
Hearing of the cheapness of homes in Nauvoo they came 
to that place. They believed in living in common. They 
rebuilt the temple which had been burned, but later it 
was wrecked in a great storm and they abandoned it and 
built a "Community House" out of a part of the mate- 
rial. These people lived in Nauvoo for a few years, when 
by reason of dissensions they sold out and departed. In 
the most prosperous period of this "community" they 
carried on all kinds of manufacturing as well as agri- 
culture. 

224. Campaign of '46. — As early as February, 1846, the 
Democratic convention nominated Augustus C. French as 
the candidate of that party for governor. The Whigs 
were hopelessly in the minority and could not persuade 
themselves to enter the race till late in the month of June, 
when a convention, assembled in Peoria, nominated 
Thomas M. Kilpatrick for governor. The election 
occurred the first Tuesday in August and the new governor 
took his seat early in December. The canvass was in prog- 
ress during the eventful days of the Mormon trouble and 
in the early days of the Mexican war. 

There was not much of an issue in the canvass. The 
Democrats were in favor of the ]\Iexican war, while the 
Whigs were opposed to it. This made the Whigs unpopu- 
lar. The Whigs charged French with being entangled in 
the internal improvement schemes which to some people 
was a sure sign of corruption or of weakness. French wa« 
elected by a large majority. 



162 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH. 
1846—1853. 

Governor French was a native of New Hampshire. He was born 
in 1808. He came to Crawford county, Illinois, while yet a young 
man, studied law, and entered politics. For a while he was receiver 
of public moneys at the land office in Palestine. He was a presi- 
dential elector in 1844 and Democratic candidate for governor in 
1846. After his term as governor he occupied the chair of Law 
in McKendree College. He died in Lebanon in 1864. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



THE SECOND CONSTITUTION. 



225. Unfinished Problems. — Governor French entered 
upon the duties of his office in December, 1846. He 
inherited from the previous administrations some unfin- 
ished problems in statecraft. These were the internal 



A Student's History of Illinois 163 

improvement problem, the new constitution problem, and 
the Mormon problem. Some of these had been in proc- 
ess of solution for several years while others were com- 
paratively new. 

226. Internal Improvement. — The internal improve- 
ment problem was in process of solution. The incomes 
of the State were not sufficient to pay the current expenses 
though the deficits were decreasing from year to year. 
Governor French recommended to the legislature that all 
the debts of the State, including bonds, scrip, and interest, 
be funded and that the new bonds be registered. In this 
way the people would know just exactly how much they 
owed and who held the bonds, and counterfeiting, which 
had come to be a very common thing, would be prevented. 
As a means of increasing taxes the State petitioned con- 
gress to abrogate the clause in the enabling act by which 
the State promised to exempt from taxation for five years 
after sale, all government land. Congress having com- 
plied with the request, the legislature provided for the 
taxation of all lands. This greatly aided in meeting the 
current expenses, especially as considerable land was 
bought in Illinois following the Mexican war. 

227. Mexican War. — On May 13, 1846, congress 
passed an act declaring that Mexico, by the shedding of 
American blood upon American soil, had declared war 
against the United States. The President was authorized 
to accept 50,000 volunteers, and congress appropriated 
$10,000,000 to carry on the war. In distributing the- 
50,000 volunteers among the states, Illinois was to fur- 
nish three regiments. They were to serve twelve months. 
An additional regiment was organized by Col. E. D. Baker, 
congressman from the Springfield district. In 1847 two 
more regiments were organized. Besides these there were 
some independent companies. 

228. Buena Vista. — Col. John J. Hardin, of Jackson- 



164 A Student's History of Illinois 

ville, was in command of the 1st regiment; Col. William 
H. Bissell, afterwards governor of the State, of the 2d; 
Col. Ferris Foreman, of the 3d ; Col. E. D. Baker, after- 
wards killed at Ball's Bluff, of the 4th regiment; Col. 
Edward W. B. Newby, of the 5th ; Col. James Collins, of 
the 6th regiment. The first and second regiments were 
engaged with General Taylor in the battle of Buena 
Vista. In this battle 4,500 Americans held their ground 
against 20,000 Mexicans. Colonel Hardin was killed at 
the close of the day. He was esteemed very highly and 
his death was a severe loss to the State. His body was 
brought home and buried in Jacksonville. 

All the Illinois troops acquitted themselves with great 
credit. They received the highest praise from the com- 
manding officers, and so high did they stand in the 
State that to have been an Illinois soldier in the Mexican 
war was a sure passport to political position in the State 
for many years. Quite a number of the officers came to 
be prominent in the State and nation in later years. 

229. Constitution of 1848. — The attempt to rewrite the 
constitution in 1824 was defeated. In 1841 another effort 
was made to call a constitutional convention, but it also 
failed. In 1845 the legislature passed an act calling on 
the people to vote on the question of a convention at the 
general election in August, 1846. The proposition was 
strongly urged upon the people by the Democratic press 
and it was not very generally opposed, so at the election 
in August, 1846, the question carried. 

The next step was to pass an act to provide for the 
convention. This act determined the number of delegates 
which should sit in the constitutional convention, the 
date of the election, which was fixed for the third INIonday 
in April, 1847, and tlie dale of the meeting of the dele- 
gates in the convention, the first Monday in Juno, 1847. 
AVhen the members came together June 7, 1847, it was 



A Student's History of Illinois 165 

found that the Whigs and Democrats were about evenly 
divided. The convention organized by electing Newton 
Cloud president, and Henry W. Moore secretary. There 
were 162 delegates in this body. The session lasted from 
June 7 to August 31, 1847. 

230. Ratification. — It was provided that if this constitu- 
tion should be ratified by the people, the governor, secre- 
tary of state, etc., were to be elected on Tuesday after the 
first Monday in November, 1848. The governor should 
take his office the second Monday in January following 
the election and serve four years. 

The constitution was completed on August 31, 1847. 
On March 6, 1848, it was submitted to the people for rati- 
fication. The vote on the constitution stood nearly 60,000 
for, and nearly 16,000 against. It was declared in force 
April 1, 1848. By the terms of the document itself an 
election should be held on Tuesday after the first Monday 
in November, 1848, for governor and other executive 
officers, as well as for members of the legislature. In com- 
pliance therewith an election was held on Tuesday after 
the first Monday in November, 1848, at which election 
Governor French was re-elected governor for four years 
from January 1, 1849. 

Some provisions in the new constitution were as follows : 

The legislature was prohibited from involving the State 
in the banking business. 

The power of the State to borrow money was limited 
to $60,000, unless in case of war, rebellion, or invasion, 
without a vote of the people. 

The right to vote was restricted to white male citizens, 
thus disfranchising unnaturalized foreigners. 

The governor was given the veto power. 

The election of many officers was taken from the legis- 
lature and given to the people. 

The State elections which had been held in August 



166 A Student's History of Illinois 

were placed in November, the governor being elected on 
the same date as the election of the president. 

Two other provisions were township organization and 
a homestead law which will be more fully considered. 

231. Township Organization. — -The new constitution 
authorized the legislature to provide for township organi- 
zation. In pursuance thereof a law was passed in 1849 
which allowed counties, when authorized by a vote of the 
people, to organize under this new system. This new 
system of count}^ organization is distinctly a New England 
product, and was therefore championed by the northern 
counties which had been largely settled by immigrants 
from New England and the middle states. The legisla- 
ture on February 12, 1849, passed a general law govern- 
ing all counties under township organization. This first 
law was somewhat imperfect, and has therefore been sub- 
ject to amendments up till the present time. The general 
provisions may be briefly stated as follows: 

The three commissioners under the county system have 
been superseded by a board of supervisors — usually one 
from each township — more properly town. 

Each town elects its own assessor, collector, supervisor, 
highway commissioners, justices, constables, poundmaster, 
and clerk. These officers perform such services for the 
tow^n as similar officers do for the county under county 
organization. The board of supervisors has charge of 
the public property of the county, fixes salaries, and audits 
the books and reports of all county officers. 

232. Homestead Law. — An important law which was 
enacted in Governor Irench's term w^as known as the 
"Homestead Exemption Law." The principle involved in 
this act is very old in English law. Up to 1851 the only 
exemption was on personal property, and then only to the 
extent of $60. The debtor who might be permitted by 
this law to hold a yoke of oxen against a creditor might 



A Student's History of Illinois 



167 



have no land to till and his oxen might be a burden to 
him. But the exemption law of 1851 provides that a 
householder may hold land to the value of $1,000 against 
the creditor, besides $400 worth of personal property. 
Such laws are still on our statute books and are seen to be 
very much to the advantage of the poor man who has 
unfortunately become involved and cannot pay his debts. 




View of Kaskaskia in 1893. There is not a house left — all swallowed up by the 

Mississippi River. 



168 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XXA'TT. 

THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD. 

233. Earliest Railroads. — Railroads made their advent 
into England in the year 1822. George Stephenson was 
the engineer of the first road. In 1825 a wooden rail 
track was first used in America for the removal of exca- 
vated earth on the Delaware-Chesapeake canal. On Jan- 
uary 28, 1831, the general assembly of Illinois chartered 
a canal or railroad in St. Clair county. This is the first 
legislation on railroads in this State. On February 15, 
1831, a bill providing for the substitution of a railroad for 
the canal from Chicago to the Illinois river was passed by 
the legislature. From this time forward the legislature 
was very liberal in granting charters for railroads. But 
nothing was actually done until in 1837. In that year a 
railroad was actually put in running order in Illinois. 

Governor Reynolds says in his history, ''My Own 
Times," that he was defeated for congress in 1836 and not 
having anything else to do, conceived the idea of building 
a railroad from the bluffs in St. Clair county to a point 
on the river opposite St. Louis, for the purpose of trans- 
porting coal to the market. The road was about six miles 
long. The engineer named a certain sum of money as 
the cost, but Reynolds says it cost twice as much. The 
road was completed in one season. The motive power wa.* 
horses. The road was not chartered till 1841. 

234. Origin of the Illinois Central Railroad. — Just who 
ought to have credit for originating the idea of a railroad 
from the junction of the Ohio with the Mississippi to the 
head of navigation of the Illinois river, is not easy to 



A Student's History of Illinois 169 

determine. It is stated that Senator Alexander M. Jen- 
kins, of Jackson county, proposed a survey of a route for 
a central railroad from Cairo to Peru, in the State senate 
in 1832. 

On October 16, 1835, Sidney Breese, afterwards a 
noted jurist of this State, addressed to Mr. John Y. Sawyer, 
a prominent gentleman of Edwardsville, a letter in which 
he suggested the building of a road from Cairo to the 
north end of the State. This letter dealt with the location, 
cost, and benefits of such a road. Judge Breese afterwards 
said that the matter was suggested to him by a friend of 
Bond county. 

In the internal improvement scheme of 1836 there were 
planned many railroads in the State. Among the more 
important was a road from Cairo to the northern part of 
the State. Much work was done on this road but not a 
mile of it was finished. Every one recognized the value 
of a railroad joining the junction of the Ohio and the 
Mississippi with Chicago. Nothing was done toward com- 
pleting this road till 1850. 

235. Government Grants Land. — Judge Breese and 
Stephen A. Douglas were in the United States Senate in 
1847 ; and Douglas introduced a bill for a grant of land 
to Illinois which was endorsed by Breese and passed the 
senate, but failed in the house. 

On September 20, 1850, congress gave to the State of 
Illinois a grant of land with which to build a road from 
Cairo to the northern part of the State. 

The law granted the right of way through the public 
lands between Cairo and the northern part of the 
State. The right of way should be 200 feet 
wide. Congress granted to the State every unentered, 
even-numbered section for a space of six miles on each 
side of the right of way; and when the even-numbered 
section had been entered or preempted then the State 



170 A Student's History of Illinois 

might choose even-numbered sections in equal amounts 
anywhere on either side of the right of way to the distance 
of fifteen miles. . The road was to be begun at opposite 
ends at the same time, and be completed within ten years. 
The total grant contained 2,595,000 acres. 

The gift was made to the State, and the legislature 
might dispose of it anyway it chose, provided it be used 
to construct the railroad. The government reserved the 
right to use the road as a public highway for the trans- 
mission of armies, munitions, and other government prop- 
erty, free of charge forever. 

When the legislature met in January, 1851, there were 
all kinds of propositions presented for the construction of 
the Central Railroad, But a proposition made by 
a company of men from New York and Boston attracted 
the attention of the legislature. 

This company pledged themselves to build the road 
and have it ready for operation by the 4th of July, 1854, 

The road should be as well built as the road running 
from Boston to Albany, 

They agreed to pay into the treasury of the State 

annually per cent of their gross earnings, provided 

the State would transfer to the company the lands granted 
by congress for the construction of the road. 

This proposition became the basis of the agreement 
between the State and the company afterwards known as 
the Illinois Central Railroad Company. The rate per cent 
of the gross earnings of the road which should be paid 
over to the State Avas fixed so that it should be "at least" 
seven per cent. 

The road was completed on time and immediately 
became a source of income to the State. The first semi- 
annual payment made by the road was October 31, 1855, 
when $29,751.59 was turned into the State treasury. 
Ever Suuce that date the road has made semi-annual pay- 



A Student's History of Illinois 171 

ments ; the annual sum has now reached over one million 
dollars. 

236. A New Banking System. — Tlie experience of Illi- 
nois in the banking business, had been so unfortunate 
that there was inserted in the constitution of 1848, Article 
X., Section 5, this provision: ''No act of the general 
assembly, authorizing corporations or associations with 
banking powers, shall go into effect or in any manner be 
enforced, unless the same shall be submitted to the people 
at the general election next succeeding the passage of the 
same, and be approved by a majority of all the votes cast 
at such election for and against such law." Section 4, of 
the same article provided that all stockholders in bank- 
ing associations issuing bank notes, should be individually 
responsible proportionately to the stock held by each, for 
all liabilities of the corporation or association. 

237. New York Plan.— In 1838, the legislature of New 
York passed a law which created a system of banking quite 
different from anything before tried in this coutnry. This 
bill provided the following plan, briefly outlined : 

1. Persons might deposit with the comptroller of the State 
a certain amount of United States bonds, state bonds, or mort- 
gages to be approved by that officer, as security. 

2. The comptroller issued to such persons bank bills which 
when properly signed by the bank officers might be put into 
circulation as money. 

3. Said notes when put in circulation were to be redeemed by 
the bank when presented for redemption by the holder within 
a limited time, or 

4. The comptroller could sell the bonds deposited with him 
and redeem said bank notes. 

Following the ratification of the constitution of 1848, 
there began almost immediately an agitation for banks 
of issue in Illinois. In the session of 1851 the legislature 
passed a banking law modeled upon the New York law 
outlined above. This law could not go into effect until 



172 A Student's History of lUino'ts 

ratified by tlio majoritj" of the votes cast at a general elec- 
tion. The general election was provided for in November, 
18'")1, and the vote stood — for the law, 37,626; against 
the law, 31,405 — a very light vote. 

This law was called the 'Tree Banking Law," because 
anyone could go into the banking business. That is one 
did not have to have a specially enacted charter. The 
securities were to be deposited with the auditor of public 
accounts, and might consist of United States bonds, Illi- 
nois state bonds, other state bonds. 

238. Wild Cat Banks. — These banks were known as 
AVild Cat Banks. The name is said to have originated 
from the picture of a wild cat engraved on the bills of 
one of these irresponsible banks in Michigan. However, 
they may have been named from the fact that the word 
wild cat was often applied to any irresponsible venture or 
scheme. 

The one hundred and fifteen banks which were in 
operation in Illinois just prior to the Civil war, issued 
nearly a thousand different kinds of bank bills. Because 
of the large number of kinds of bills, counterfeiting was 
easy, and it is said that much of the money in circula- 
tion was counterfeit. Bankers received reports as to the 
condition of the banks over the state daily. One never 
knew when he presented a bill in payment of a debt, 
w^hether or not it was of any value. Often the merchant 
would accept this paper money only when heavily dis- 
counted. 

239. Campaign of 1852. — Governor French served six 
years as governor, two years under the constitution of 
1818, and four vears under that of 1848. For the office 
of governor, the Democrats nominated in April, 1852, 
Joel A. ^Matteson, of Will county. The Whigs put for- 
ward Edwin B. Webb, of White county ; while the Aboli- 
tionists or Free Soilers nominated Dexter A. Knowlton. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



173 




GOVERNOR JOEL A. MATTESON. 

1853—1857. 

Joel A. Matteson was a native of Watertown, N. T. He was born 
in 1808. He early became a teaclier, and later he became engaged 
in railroad building. He was a contractor on the Illinois and 
Michigan Canal. He served in the Legislature. In 1853 he became 
governor. At the close of his term he retired to private life, but 
was soon accused of irregularity in connection with the bonds of 
the canal, and to satisfy the demands of the state he turned over 
property valued at a quarter of a million dollars. He traveled in 
Europe. Died in Chicago in 1873. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



THE PUBLIC SCHOOL. 



240. Legislation.— Governor Matteson showed in his 
first message that he was a practical man. He recom- 
mended a pubUc school system, a liberal policy toward 



174 A Student's History of Illinois 

the granting of charters to corporations to build railroads, 
and the building of a penitentiary in the northern part 
of the State. Some of the legi.-^lation of the session of 
1853, dealt with the tenii^erancc question, with free 
negroes, building an executive mansion, besides the sub- 
jects referred to in the governor's message. Ex-Governor 
John Reynolds was elected to this legislature and was 
chosen speaker of the house. He had served on the 
supreme bench, in the legislature, as governor, congress- 
man, and now came back to serve in the legislature. 
Stephen A. Douglas was elected to another term in the 
United States senate. 

241. Prosperity. — Everything pointed to a very pros- 
perous future for the State, and although the debt was 
apparently appalling yet those who had clear financial 
vision could see the dawning of better days. The *de])t 
at this time, January 1, 1853, according to the report of 
the governor was $17,398,985. But the State was now to 
receive an income from the canal and soon from the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad ; besides the general taxes were now 
assessed upon a valuation of more than $200,000,000. 

242. Slavery Agitation. — During the years of Mr. 
Matteson's administration, there was great agitation in 
Illinois on the slavery question. The constitution of 
1848, had abolished slavery, but there were in the State 
quite a number of free negroes. The "underground rail- 
road" was in active operation and had been since 1835. 
The fugitive slave law passed by congress in 1850 was 
very obnoxious to many people and the underground rail- 
way was liberally patronized in the years '51, '52, and '53. 
On February 12, 1853, the legislature passed a law con- 
cerning free negroes and mulattoes. This law made it a 
crime to bring into the State a negro. Again if a negro 
came into the State and remained ten days, he was liable 
to arrest, and to be fined S50 If he could not pay the 



A Student's History of Illinois 



175 



fine he was sold to anyone who would pay the cost of the 
arrest and trial. This law was intended to serve two 
purposes; first to make it a crime to assist negroes into 
the State and in making their escape, and second to enable 
the southern slave catcher to get possession of his slave at 
the actual cost of arrest and trial. 

243. A National Question. — Nor was the slave question 
at all pacified by the passage of the law repealing the Mis- 




An Underground Railroad Station in St. Clair County. 

souri Compromise. Mr. Douglas was the champion of 
the bill in congress and when he returned to Illinois he 
found many of his neighbors and friends actively and 
even bitterly opposed to the measure. All over the State 
there were speeches, conventions, and resolutions denounc- 
ing it. An active newspaper war was everywhere waged 
against the measure. The bill was passed in May, 1854, 
and the congressional canvass was carried on through the 



176 A Student's History of Illinois 

suiiiiiier months following. Douglas attempted to explain 
his action but in many places he was treated with scant 
courtesy by the disappointed people. 

There was a great disturbance in political parties and 
new parties were being formed. These shall have our 
attention presently. 

244, Free School System. — One of the most far-reach- 
ing measures enacted into law during Governor ]\Iatte- 
son's term was the bill which ushered in our free public 
school system. Between 1830 and 1855 nothing of any 
special merit was done by the legislature affecting the 
school system. Common schools were condvicted in nearly 
every neighborhood but only for a few months in the year. 
In 1833 the legislature passed a law which provided that 
the teacher should keep a schedule of the daily attendance, 
and upon this attendance as a proportionate part of the 
total attendance in that township his share of the school 
fund depended. 

In 1833, February 13, an educational convention was 
held in Vandalia. This meeting was the first of its kind 
in the State. Judge James Hall made an address. The 
purpose seemed to have been to gather and disseminate 
information of the educational progress in the State. 

245. Slow Growth, — The very excellent school law 
passed in 1825 was repealed by 1830. The people were 
then free to have any kind of school they chose. 

The secret of the delay in getting a school system in 
Illinois seems to have been this, — all plans or systems 
were introduced and urged by the Yankee portion of the 
settlers while a majority of the legislature and perhaps 
of the population was from the slave states where they 
had little use for free schools. 

The school men and others kept up the fight for a free 
school system. A school journal was published as early 
as 1837. It was called "The Common School Advocate," 



A Student's History of Illinois 177 

and was published in Jacksonville by E. T. and E. C^ondy. 
Among those who kept alive the spirit of free public 
schools were Rev. John F. Brooks, Prof. J. B. Turner, 
Rev. John M. Peck, Hon. Cyrus Edwards, John S. Wright 
and a score of others. County institutes were held in 
those days at which reports were made, lectures given, and 
resolutions passed. 

246. Farmers' Convention. — In 1851, at Granville, Put- 
nam county, was held a "Farmers' Convention" at which 
steps were taken that resulted in founding the State Uni- 
versity. The legislature, at the session of 1854, con- 
sidered a bill to incorporate the "Trustees of Illinois Uni- 
versity." The objects were stated to be: 1. To establish 
a normal department; 2. To establish an agricultural 
department; and 3. A mechanical department. The bill 
did not become a law. 

Congress, in 1850, granted the states all the swamp 
lands in them yet remaining unsold. Illinois received 
about 1,500,000 acres. The legislature provided for the 
sale of this land for the purpose of securing funds for 
draining the remainder of the land. And if any should 
be left after the drainage expense had been met, it should 
be diverted into the school fund. Some half million dol- 
lars or more was thus added to the township and county 
school funds. 

"The State Teachers' Institute of Illinois" was chartered 
in 1855, and in 1857 the charter name was changed to 
"The Illinois State Teachers' Association." This is now a 
very important factor in educational progress in Illinois. 
It holds its annual meetings at Springfield during the 
Christmas holidays. 

247. Campaign of 1856. — National politics entered into 
the campaign of 1856. The old Whig party was giving 
way to another and more vigorous organization — the Anti- 
Nebraska party. This new party later came to be called 



178 A Student's History of Illinois 

the Republican party. The Democratic party put out its 
candidates at a convention held in Springfield May 1st, 
1(850. The Hon. W. A. Anderson was named as candi- 
date for governor. The Anti-Nel)raska party nominated 
Colonel Wm. H. Bissell. 

The canvass was full of interest. The Rei)ublicans 
or Anti-Nebraskans looked hopefully forward to success, 
while the Democrats saw that their only chance was to 
keep their opponents from fusing their interests. The 
Anti-Nebraska people, or the Republicans as they were 
beginning to be called, were bitterly denounced as "Black 
Republicans," and as Abolitionists. Lincoln made about 
fifty speeches. The Republicans made very little headway 
in the south end of the State. Buchanan carried the 
electoral vote but the Republicans elected four of the nine 
congressmen, besides the State ticket. The legislature was 
Democratic. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



179 




GOVERNOR WM. H. BiSSELL. 
1857-1860. 

Governor Bissell was a native of New York. His education was 
limited, though he finished a course in medicine and practiced that 
profession in Monroe county before he was 30 years of age. He 
did not regard the practice of medicine as his life work and drifted 
into law and politics. He is said to have been a charming public 
speaker. He was colonel of a regiment in the Mexican "War, served 
in congress, and practiced law. He was challenged to fight a duel 
by Jefferson Davis, but friends prevented them from engaging In 
this criminal act. He died in March, 1860 — ten months before the 
end of his term as governor. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR. 



248. Inaugurated. — The inauguration of a Republican 
governor in Illinois was an event of no ordinary interest. 
The Democratic party had furnished all the governors 



180 A Student's History of Illinois 

since the days of Shadrach Bond. The new party was 
less than four years old, yet it held within its ranks in 
Illinois men who became famous in the halls of legislation, 
in high executive stations, on the bench as honored jurists, 
and as heroes upon the field of battle. Governor Bissell 
was inaugurated January 13, 1857. 

He won the disfavor of his political opponents by dis- 
cussing vigorously the slavery question in his first mes- 
sage to the legislature. They immediately attacked his 
elligibility to the office of governor on account of his hav- 
ing accepted the challenge from Jefferson Davis to fight a 
duel. The constitution of 1848 made such an act a dis- 
qualification to hold office under said constitution. After 
a very bitter contest in the legislature the matter was 
dropped. 

249. Normal School. — Without doubt the most impor- 
tant legislation of this session was the passage of the 
act creating the normal school at Normal. This act was 
approved February 18, 1857. Another very creditable bit 
of legislation was the establishment of a penitentiary in 
the northern part of the State, at Joliet. 

250. State Apportionment. — The constitution of 1848 
provided that the census of the State should be taken every 
fifth year, and that the State should be redistricted follow- 
ing the taking of the census. One matter therefore for 
the legislature of 1857 was to make the State apportion- 
ment based upon the census of 1855. The Democrats 
were in the majority slightly in each house. Their meas- 
ure for reapportionment was vetoed by Gov. Bissell, and 
party feeling ran so high that little progress could be 
made and the legislature adjourned. 

251. Lincoln-Douglas Debate. — By the sunnner 'of 
1858 Lincoln had beconic the recognized leader of the 
Ivopublican party in Illinois while Douglas had for some 
time held that lionor in the Democratic party. The 



A Student's History of Illinois 181 

slavery question was rapidly becoming the absorbing ques- 
tion in national politics and was now assuming large pro- 
portions in Illinois politics. In 1854 Mr. Douglas had 
pushed the Nebraska bill, or the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise, through congress. Mr. Lincoln washed to 
succeed Mr. Douglas as United States senator. The elec- 
tion would occur at the meeting of the legislature in Janu- 
ary, 1859. This legislature was to be elected at the Novem- 
ber election in 1858. 

Mr. Douglas returned from AVashington to make his 
canvass for re-election in July, 1858. After considerable 
correspondence Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas agreed to a 
joint discusion before the voters of Illinois. There were 
to be seven joint meetings — two districts, the one in 
which Chicago lay, and the one in which Springfield was 
situated, had already had joint discussions. 

The places agreed upon and the dates were as follows : 

Ottawa, La Salle county, August 21, 1858. 

Freeport, Stephenson county, August 27, 1858. 

Jonesboro, Union county, September 15, 1858. 

Charleston, Coles county, September 18, 1858. 

Galesburg, Knox county, October 7, 1858. 

Qulncy, Adams county, October 13, 1858. 

Alton, Madison county, October 15, 1858. 

252. Squatter Sovereignty. — lo understand the real 
significance of this contest it w^ill be necessary to give 
attention to some questions that do not fall strictly within 
the limits of Illinois history. In the repeal of the Mis- 
souri Compromise it had been expressly stated in the bill 
itself, section 21, — 'Tirst. That all questions pertaining 
to slavery in the territories, and in the new states to be 
formed therefrom, are to be left to the decisions of the 
people residing therein, through their appropriate repre- 
sentatives." This was the doctrine of ''Squatter 
Sovereignty." 



182 A Student's History of Illinois 

253. Questions.— In the first debate at Ottawa, Douglas 
asked Lincoln eight questions which the latter did not 
answer, at least fully, till the joint meeting at Freeport. 
Lincoln then answered Douglas' eight questions, and in 
turn asked Douglas four, holding four in reserve. The 
second question asked by Lincoln was one which all of his 
friends said would lose him the senatorship. It is reported 
that at Mendota the night before the speech at Freeport 
the next day, after midnight, a large gathering of Lin- 
coln's friends called on him at the hotel, and to them 
Lincoln read question number two. They all with one 
accord told him it was the height of folly as it w^ould cer- 
tainly be at the cost of the senatorship. Lincoln is said 
to have responded: ''Gentlemen, 1 am killing larger 
game; if Douglas answers, he can never be president, and 
the battle of 1860 is worth a hundred of this." The 
question was: 

"No. 2. Can the people of a United States Territory in 
any lawful way, against the wish of any citizens of the 
United States, exclude slavery from its limit prior to the 
formation of a state constitution?" 

If Mr. Douglas wishes still to uphold the doctrine of 
Squatter Sovereignty he will be forced to say, "Yes." If 
he says, "No," then his doctrine of Squatter Sovereignty 
has burst as a bubble. If Douglas answers in the affirmative 
he runs counter to the decision of the supreme court 
which has so greatly delighted the slave holders of the 
south. If he says, "Yes," every pro-slavery southerner 
will be ready to read him out of the Democratic party. If 
he says, "No," he will lose the senatorship, for those that 
are pleading Douglas' cause argue that Douglas ought 
to be sustained because he stands for abiding by the will 
of the people as expressed in regularly constituted means 
for such expression. 



A Student's History of Illinois 183 

254. Freeport Doctrine. — Douglas was truly midway 
between two great dangers, but summoning all his native 
skill in the art of debate he answered: "I answer em- 
phatically, as Mr. Lincoln has heard me answer a hun- 
dred times from every stump in Illinois, that, in my opin- 
ion the people of the territory can by lawful means, exclude 
slavery from their limits prior to the formation of a State 
constitution. . . . The people have the lawful 
means to introduce it or exclude it, as they please, for the 
reason that slavery cannot exist a day, or an hour, any- 
where, unless it is supported by local police regulation." 

255. Douglas Splits His Party. — This Freeport doc- 
trine greatly pleased the people of the north where they 
believed in squatter sovereignty as a cardinal principle of 
democracy. But in the south the leaders were very bitter 
toward Douglas because this Freeport doctrine was counter 
to the Dred Scott decision. Judah P. Benjamin, United 
States senator from Louisiana denounced Douglas in the 
United States senate. Douglas was deposed from the chair- 
manship of the committee on territories, which he had 
held for eleven years, and the party Avas split into 
Buchanan Democrats and Douglas Democrats. 

256. The Final Result. — The contest came to a close on 
the 2d of November and resulted in the election of a 
majority of members of the legislature pledged to the 
support of Douglas for senator. 

In the election of the treasurer and state superintendent 
of public instruction, the Republicans were successful. 
The legislature convened on January 3, 1859, and a few 
days later in jonit session elected Douglas senator for six 
years from March 4, 1859. The ballot stood — Lincoln 
46, and Douglas 54. 

The contest between Douglas and Lincoln had attracted 
the attention of the entire country, north and south, east 
and west. Mr. Lincoln was defeated but not cast down. 



184 A Student's History of Illinois 

It was only one short year till the national canvass would 
demand attention of the whole people. Lincoln wrote to 
a friend shortly after the November election as follows: 
"The fight must go on. The cause of civil liberty must 
not be surrendered at the end of one or one hundred 
defeats. Douglas had the ingenuity to be supported in 
the late contest, both as the best means to break down and 
to uphold the slave interest. No ingenuity can keep these 
antagonistic elements in harmony long. Another explo- 
sion will soon come." 

Douglas naturally felt proud of his victory. After a 
short rest following the close of the campaign, he made a 
tour of the soutliern states; but nothing he could say or 
do could pacify the administration. 

257. Death of Governor Bissell. — Governor Bissell was 
almost inca|)acitated for the duties of his office during 
most of his term. In the latter part of 1859 and first of 
1860, he became greatly afflicted and died in office, March, 
1860. Lieutenant Governor Wood assumed the duties of 
the office and served till succeeded by Richard Yates in 
January, 1861. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



185 




GOVERNOR JOHN WOOD. 
1860—1861. 



John Wood, who became the chief executive upon the death of 
Sovernor Bissell, was the son of a Revolutionary soldier. He 
(vas born in New York in 1798 and settled in Pike county in 1820. 
[n 1822, he bought a quarter-section of land and upon it built the 
first house — a log cabin — in the future city of Quincy. He was in- 
strumental in securing the organization of Pike county and was, for 
sixty years, identified with the history of our State. 

Governor Wood acted as quartermaster general for the State dur- 
ing the earlier years of the Civil war,_ and in 1864 raised the 137th 
regiment of Illinois troops — 100-day men — and saw active service 
in the south. During the executive term of Bissell and Wood, the 
public debt was reduced more than $3,000,000. 

Governor Wood died in Quincy, June 11, 1880, at the ripe age of 
eighty-two years. 



258. Election of 1860. — It was early seen that the great 
struggle of 1858 was to be continued in the state and 
national elections of 1860. Richard Yates of Jacksonville 
was the Republican candidate for governor. .James C. 
Allen of Crawford county was the standard bearer for 
the Democratic party. Mr, Yates was elected by a small 



186 A Student's History of Illinois 

majority. The Republicans carried both branches of the 
legislature. 

No previous national election was ever so vital to the 
perpetuity of Democratic institutions as was the one of 
1860. The Democratic party was divided. One wino; 
staked its fortune on the justice in human slavery and the 
right of secession. The other wing rested its cause on 
squatter sovereignty which was the chief doctrine 
advanced in the Kansas-Nebraska bill. The Republican 
party denied the right of congress to establish slavery in 
any territory, denounced the Dred Scott decision, and 
demanded the admission of Kansas as a free state. The 
slave states put out John C. Breckenridge, the regular 
Democratic nominee was Stephen A. Douglas, while the 
Republicans named Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was 
elected. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



187 




Courtesy and permission of McClure, Phil- 
lips & Co. From Ida M. Tarbell's "Life of 
Lincoln." Copyright 1900. 

Abraham Lincoln. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



A SON OF ILLINOIS. 



259. Birth and Youth. — Abraham Lincoln was born 
three miles from Hodgensville, in La Rue county, Ken- 
tucky, February 12, 1809. When he was about four 
years old his parents moved to Knob Creek, sixteen miles 
away from his birthplace. Here he began his education. 
Mr. Lincoln says he thinks six months would cover all 
the time he ever went to school. 



188 



A Stud cut's History of IlUuois 



260. Moves to Indiana. — In 1816, his father moved to 
Spencer county, Indiana. Abraham was now seven years 
old. The home is described as a ''half-face camp." The 
furnishings were very meager. Wild game was plentiful 
in the thick woods about them. It has been said that 
Thomas Lincoln neglected his wife and children while 
here. Abraham says that these were ''pretty pinching 
times." Abraham's mother died in 1818, and then, no 
doubt the Lincoln home was desolate indeed. 




Courtesy and permission of McClure. Phillips & Co. From Ida 
M. Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln." Copyright 1900. 

Lincoln's Birthplace. 

In 1819, Thomas Liiicoln returned to Kentucky and 
married Sally Bush Johnston, a widow with three 
children. Mrs. Johnston and Thomas had been lovers 
in their younger days. The new mother brought quite a 
few comforts to the forlorn home in Indiana. 

26L Moves to Illinois. — In 1830 the Lincoln family 
moved to Illinois and settled near Decatur, some ten miles 
west. Here is where Lincoln made the historic rails. 

The Lincolns fenced ten acres of ground, broke it, and 
planted it in corn. Lincoln was twenty-one years old 



A Student's History of Illinois 



189 



February 12, 1830, and this was the last work he helped 
his father do. 

262. Trip to New Orleans. — In the winter of ''the deep 
snow,"' Lincoln with others engaged to take a flat boat to 
New Orleans. Lincohi helped to build the boat at San- 
gamon town (New Salem), and the trip was made to 
New Orleans in the spring of 1831. It was while in the 
city of New Orleans tliat he saw a mulatto girl offered for 
sale from the auction block in a slave market. The con- 




Courtesy and permission of McClure, PhilHiis & Co. From Ida 
M. Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln." Copyright 1900. 

The Home of Lincoln's Parents near Charleston, 



duct of the auctioneer and the bidders was so revolting 
that Lincoln is said to have remarked to his companions, 
John Hanks and John D. Johnston, ''Boys, let's get away 
from this. If I ever get a chance to hit that thing 
(slavery "), I will hit it hard." 

263. Store Keeper. — On his return he engaged to keep 
store in New Salem for Denton Offutt. Here Lincoln 
spent the next few years of his life. It was indeed a 



190 A Student's History of Illinois 

strenuous one. He studied, read, wrestled, and courted. 
In 1832 he otfered liimself a.s a candidate for the legisla- 
ture. He liad hardly announced himself, when in April, 
1832, word came to New Salem of the call for troops 
to go to the Black Hawk war. 

264. A Soldier. — Abraham Lincoln was captain of one 
of the four companies which constituted the fourth regi- 
ment. When the army was mustered out, May 27, 1832, 
Lincoln re-enlisted as a private in Captain lies' company 
for twenty days. When his time was up for this enlist- 
ment, he re-enlisted in Capt. Jacob M. Early's company. 
When he Avas m.ustered out, he and a companion walked 
across country to Ottawa, came to Havana in a canoe, and 
walked to New Salem. He was defeated in the fall of 
LS32 for the legislature, but was elected the fall of 1834. 

265. As a Legislator. — He served in the legislature 
from December, 1834, to December, 1842. He repre- 
sented the Springfield district in congress from December, 
1847-1849. In 1855 he was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the United States senate. In 1856 he was active in 
the campaign in which Bissell was a candidate for gover- 
nor. In 1858 he was candidate for the United States sen- 
ate and engaged in the great debate with Douglas. In 
I860 was elected to the presidency. 

266. Farewell. — As the time approached for his de- 
parture for Washington, he settled up all his private busi- 
ness affairs. One of the most significant incidents of the 
closing days of his life as a private citizen was his visit 
to his step-mother, Avho lived in Coles county — near 
Charleston. He spent a day with her, and, accompanied 
by her, he visited the grave of his father. Mr. Lincoln 
loved his step-mother very tenderly and it must indeed 
have been very touching to see this sad ])arting. for his 
mother told him she never expected to see him again. She 



A Student's History of Illinois 191 

was now seventy-three years old. She died December 10,. 
1869. 

Mr. Lincoln left Springfield for Washington, February 
11, 1861. To a great concourse of friends and neighbors 
who had gathered about the station he addressed a very 
touching farewell. He said: 

My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my 
feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kind- 
ness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a 
quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old 
man. Here my children have been born and one is buried. I 
now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, 
with a task before me greater than that which rested upon 
Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who 
ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I 
cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain 
with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope 
that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I 
hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an af- 
fectionate farewell. 

He reached Washington safely on the morning of the 
4th of ]\Iarch, 1861, and was ready for the inaugural 
exercises. 

267. Inaugurated, — Shortly before noon the retiring 
President, Mr. Buchanan, called for Mr. Lincoln and 
escorted him to the senate chamber. From here they 
passed out upon a large platform erected upon the east 
side of the capitol where he delivered his inaugural in the 
presence of senators, representatives, judges, foreign min- 
isters, and other public dignitaries. 

When the distinguished party came upon the platform 
and were seated, Senator Edward Baker, arose and intro- 
duced ^Ir. Lincoln, and as he came forward a few steps 
with his cane in his hand, together vnih. his manuscript 
and his tall silk hat, he was embarrassed for want of a 
place to put his hat. Just then Senator Douglas saw the 
embarrassment, stepped forward and took the Pre.sident's 



192 A Student's History of Illinois 

hat, and stepping back and holding it in his hand, said 
to a cousin of Mrs. Lincohi, "If I can't be President, I can 
at least hold his hat." 

In the inaugural speech he said, ''I have no purpose, 
directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of 
slavery in the states where it exists. I believe I have 
no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to 
do so." Just near the close, as he was addressing his ''dis- 
saitsfied countrymen," he showed them wherein he had 
the advantage of them. ''You have no oath registered 
in heaven to destroy the government, while I have the 
most solemn one to preserve, protect, and defend it." 

268. Douglas a Patriot. — Within a few days, on April 
18, after the fall of Sumter, Stephen A. Douglas called 
on President Lincoln and assured him of his heartiest 
support, and on the 25th of April he was in Springfield, 
and here upon invitation of the legislature which had met 
in special session he addressed that body. The speech of 
April 25 was a vigorous arraignment of secession and a 
patriotic appeal to all to defend the constitution and the 
flag. From here Douglas went to Chicago, where he spoke 
in a similar strain in the ''wigwam," where Lincoln was 
nominated. Douglas was taken sick almost immediately 
after this "wigwam" speech and was confined to his room 
in the Tremont House, where he died the 3d of June, 
1861. It was very unfortunate for the cause of the Union 
that Douglas died so early in the great struggle. Had he 
lived he would surely have been a valuable friend of 
President Lincoln. He had no sympathy with secession. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



193 




GOVERNOR RICHARD YATES, SR. 
1861-1865. 

Richard Yates was a Kentuckian. His parents removed to Illinois 
when Richard was a lad of 15 years. His father was a staunch 
anti-slavery man. Young Yates read law with Gen. John J. Hardin, 
who was killed at Buena Vista. Mr. Yates was a great campaigner, 
and made friends with the common people. He was the only Whig 
congressman elected in Illinois in the election of 1850. He was 
reelected in 1852. He took an active part in the famous Blooming- 
ton convention of 1856, and was the Republican nominee for gov- 
ernor in 1860. He was inaugurated as governor in January, 1861. 
He was a great friend of Lincoln and was known as "Illinois' War 
Governor." He served as United States Senator from 1865 to 1871 
He died in the latter year. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

GOVERNOR RICHARD YATES— ILLINOIS IN THE 

CIVIL WAR. 



269. Yates Inaugurated. — Richard Yates was inaugu- 
rated governor on the 14th of .Tanuary, 1861. His inaugu- 



194 A Student's Historx of Illinois 

ral was full of earnest words relative to the duty of every 
patriot. It is interesting to note at a lime when poUtical 
i'eehng was so high that so many matters of purely local 
interest should receive attention. 

Some of the acts passed by this legislature w^ere: To 
encourage mining; to foster public schools; to provide for 
discharging the State debt ; to prevent illegal voting, and 
to call a convention to amend or revise the State consti- 
tution. 

270. The Flag Fired Upon.— The winter of 1860-1 was 
one of great political activity in the national capital. 
Senators and representatives from the southern states were 
resigning their seats in congress and making farewell 
speeches in that body. President Buchanan was doing 
nothing to check the spirit of secession. The military 
movements of the south were as rapid and dramatic as 
had been the political events in the national capital. Forts, 
arsenals, and munitions passed rapidly from the control 
of the national government to that of the seceded states. 
On the 12th of April, the secessionists opened fire on Fort 
Sumter. The morning of the 14th, Major Anderson 
marched out of the fort, and the flag of South Carolina 
was run up. 

On ]\londay morning, April 15, 1861, President Lin- 
coln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers for three months, 
"in order to suppress said combination and to cause the 
laws to be duly executed." All loyal citizens were called 
upon to aid "this effort to maintain the honor, integrity 
and the existence of our National Union." 

271. Extra Session of the Legislature. — The regular 
session of the legislature had just recently adjourned when 



Note. — In following the events of the Civil War it is not the 
purpose to give anything like a connected account of the military- 
operations; but to discover as nearly as we may Illinois' part in 
the war, and the effect of the war upon Illinois. 



A Student's History of Illinois 195 

Fort Sumter was fired on. On the 15th of April, Governor 
Yates was notified bv the Secretarv of War of the call for 
troops. He immediately issued a call for an extra session 
of the legislature to meet on the 23d. 

The special session which Governor Yates had called 
was in session but ten days. It had been called to "per- 
fect the organization and equipment of the militia of the 
State and placing the same on the best footing to render 
assistance to the general government in preserving the 
union, enforcing the laws, and protecting the property 
and rights of the ])eople." 

2.72. Call for Troops. — Illinois was asked to raise six 
regiments for the suppression of the rebellion in certain 
states. There was activity in every town and hamlet. 

Everywhere the flag was flung to the breeze as the na- 
tional emblem. Now^ developed a. feature of the war 
which is not always well understood. Up to this time the 
whole population of Illinois, with the exception of a very 
few people, was divided into Republicans and Douglas 
Democrats. There had been a strong sympathy between 
the Douglas Democrats and the Southern Democrats, and 
almost as strong a hatred for the Republicans. The Re- 
publicans were called ''black abolitionists." Douglas him- 
self persisted in calling Lincoln's friends the Black Repub- 
licans in the debates of 1858. But w^hen the flag was fired 
on Democrats and Republicans forgot any differences 
which they may have had and rallied to the defense of 
the flag. 

273. Cairo Occupied.— On the 19th of April, the Sec- 
retary of War telegraphed to Governor Yates to occupy 
Cairo as a precaution. By the 21st General Swift of Chicago, 
was on his way to Cairo with four pieces of artillery and 
six companies of soldiers, and by the 22d, three more 
companies were en route. The six regiments were made 
into the first brigade of Illinois. Gen. Benjamiii Prentiss 



196 



A Student's History of Illinois 



proceeded to Cairo and took command at that point. 
Other calls came for troops and by the end of the year 
there were in the camps and in the field nearly 70,000 
Illinois soldiers. 

274. The Silent Man. — Sometime in the latter part of 
April or the first part of ^lay, there came from Galena 
to Springfield a company of soldiers who offered their 
services and were eventually put into the eleventh regi- 
ment. Along with this company there came the silent 




Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. 



man — Ulysses S. Grant. He remained in Springfield till 
the Galena boys were properly located, and was about to 
depart when Governor Yates invited him to assist the 
adjutant general in his duties. Through the early sum- 
mer he mustered in regiments and did other service. 
The governor appointed Grant colonel of the 21st regi- 
ment. This regiment was enlisted and nuistcred at ]\Iat- 



A Student's History of Illinois 197 

toon June 15, but later came to Springfield. Grant was 
ordered, with his regiment, to Quincy. But on the march 
to that point orders changed his destination and he went 
into eastern Missouri, where he remained without special 
incident till he was made a brigadier general, August 23, 
On September 4, Grant took up his headquarters in Cairo 
and relieved Col. Richard Ogiesby. Within a few days 
he had occupied Paducah and Smithland. On the 7th 
of November he broke up a large camp of confederates 
at Belmont, Mo., and captured and destroyed large cpian- 
tities of stores. But the enemy being heavily reinforced 
from Columbus, were able to drive Grant to his boats with 
a loss of 485 killed, wounded, and missing. Grant re- 
turned to Cairo, where he remained till the expedition w^as 
sent up the Tennessee in February, 1862. 

275. The Constitutional Convention. — In pursuance of 
the action taken in the legislatures of 1859 and 1861, a 
convention was held in the early part of 1862 to revise 
the constitution of the State. When the new constitu- 
tion was submitted to the people its ratification was de- 
feated by over 16,000. 

276. Pittsburg Landing. — The early days in February, 
1862, found Grant making preparations for the first real 
steps toward the opening of the Mississippi river. With 
a very large army on transports accompanied by numer- 
ous vessels of the gunboat class, Grant proceeded to the 
reduction of Forts Henry and Donelson. He later con- 
centrated his troops on the Tennessee where on the morn- 
ing of the sixth of April, 1862, was begun the battle of 
Pittsburg Landing which lasted two days. 

Governor Yates was especially active in the work of 
caring for our own boys in the field. When the battle of 
Pittsburg Landing began on Sunday morning, the 6th 
of April, the governor was tendered a steamboat by the 
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company. 



198 



A Student's History of Illinois 




Monument marking the spot where Gen. Grant spent the night of April 6th, 

1862 — now a part of the grounds of the Shiloh National 

Cemetery, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. 



The boat was quickly jjrovisioned, and with an cxeeUent 
medical staff under the direction of an eminent surgeon, 
Doctor Daniel Brainard, president of Rush Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago, the vessel quickly reached Cairo. Here it 
was detained by reason of military regulations, but was 
soon on its way. The cargo was not all sight-seers. There 
were doctors, nurses, helpers, boxes of dainty food, pack- 
ages of bandages and lint, stretchers, medicine, and every- 
thing which could minister to the relief of those in distress. 

277. More Illinois Soldiers. — The summer months of 
1862 revealed the great need of additional soldiers in the 
field and during July and August 600,000 additional 
troops were asked for. Of this large number, Illinois was 
to furnish 52,000. She had already furnished more than 
her quota, but the government was insistent and Illinois 
must furnish the 52,000 men. The governor immediately 
set to work to comply with the demands of the general 
government. In an incredibly short time not only the 
52,000, but over 68,000 troops were tendered. Thus by 
the end of 1862 Illinois had organized and sent to the 
country's service 131 regiments of infantry, 13 regiments 



A Student's History of Illinois 199 

of cavalry, besides artillery and other arms of the service. 

278. Legislature Democratic. — The legislature met 
January 5, 1863. Its attitude toward the national and 
State administrations was quickly revealed. The newly 
elected speaker of the house, in his address to that body, 
used the words: ''I trust that you will feel it your duty 
to enter the solemn protest of the people of the State of 
Illinois against the impolicy and imbecility which, after 
such heroic and long continued sacrifices, still leaves this 
unholy rebellion not only not subdued but without any 
immediate prospect of termination, and I trust that your 
action may have a potent influence in restoring to our 
distracted country the peace and union of bygone days." 

Governor Yates delivered his inaugural message which 
was full of patriotism and hope. He said: ''The rebel- 
lion, which was designed to perpetuate slavery and plant 
it upon an enduring basis, is now, under a righteous 
Providence, being made the instrument to destroy it." 

279. With Grant and Sherman. — The Illinois troops 
were occupied with the opening of the Mississippi river 
and with Sherman in his march to the sea. Few of them 
found service east of the Alleghanies. Many regiments 
much depleted marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in 
the Grand Review. The chief battles in which Illinois 
troops took part are as follows : 

Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone 
River, Franklin, Siege of Vicksburg, Chickamauga, 
around Chattanooga, March to the Sea. 

The total loss of life among the Illinois soldiers was, 
killed in battle, 5,874; died of wounds, 4,020; died of 
disease, 22,786 ; died from other causes, 2,154 ; total deaths, 
34,834. 

280. Illinois' Sons in the War. — There is no place 
where men so quickly earn renown as in fighting the 
battles of their country. The world has always honored 



200 



A Student's History of Illinois 



her great military leader.^s. Illinois ought to be proud of 
the record her soldiers made in this conflict. The youth 
of our great State ought to become familiar with the stories 
of the lives of at least a dozen of the great names which 
Illinois is proud to honor. 

First, of all those whose names should be familiar, is 
Abraham Lincoln. He was commander-in-chief of the 
army and navy for more than four years. The next name 
is that of Ulvsses S. Grant. He bea;an in the humble 



:.;5r-^: 






Artillery of Grant's last line, Sunday evening, April 6th, showing the only 

earth works thrown up during the battle, Shiloh National 

Military Park, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. 



capacity of a clerk. He was next the colonel of the 21st 
regiment. Then a brigade commander and later a major 
general. He then became the real commander-in-chief of 
all the Union forces in the field and won undying fame as 
the Great Commander. 

John A. Logan was a member of congTess when the con- 
flict began. He raised a legiment, the 31st, and became 
its colonel, and afterwards rose to the rank of major gen- 
eral. He has been called the greatest volunteer soldier, 
never having had previous military training. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



201 



John M. Palmer went into the service as colonel of the 
14th regiment as early as May, 1861. He rose rapidly to 
the position of major general. 

John A. McClernand was, in his early days, a citizen 
of Shawneetown, but later lived in Springfield. He was 
in congress at the opening of the war. He became a noted 
major general. 

Richard J. Oglesby became a major general and after- 



- »*.> >.-«c»'s '^.:-.-'-- 




Monument in the National Cemetery at Mound City. 



202 



A Studoit's History of Illinois 



wards served two terms as governor. Other men from 
Illinois who became major generals were John Pope, 
Stephen A. Hurlbut, Benjamin M. Prentiss, John M. Sco- 
field, Napoleon B. Buford, Wesley Merritt, Giles A. Smith, 
and Benjamin H. Grierson. 

281. Campaign of 1864. — This Avas a verj^ bitter cam- 
paign. The national parties put out Mr. Lincoln and 
Gen. Geo. B. McClellan for president. The platforms 
dealt almost wholly with the political phases of the war. 
The state candidates and their platforms affirmed the doc- 




General John A. Logan. 

trines of the national parties. Gen. Richard J. Oglesby 
was the candidate for governor on the Republican ticket, 
and James C. Robinson was the Democratic candidate. 
The State was thoroughly canvassed by famous speakers. 
The election occurred in November, 1864, and the Repub- 
lican party carried the State by about 30,000 majority. 
Mr. Lincoln was elected over Gen. McClellan. 



A Student's History of Illinois- 



203 




Grant's Home in Galena in 1861. 




Flag Carried in Washington's Army. Brought to Shawneetown 
by Gen. Alexander Posey. 



204 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR RICHARD J. 
1865—1869. 



OGLESBY. 



Governor Oglesby was a Kentuckian. He came to Decatur with 
his uncle in 1836. Here he worked as a common laborer, studying 
law at odd times. Was admitted to the bar in 1845. He was a 
lieutenant in Col. Baker's regiment in the Mexican war. Was 
elected to the legislature in 1860, but resigned to accept a colonel's 
commission of the 8th Illinois Volunteers. He was elected three 
times as governor of the State, and served as United States Sen- 
ator. Died in 1899. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

GOVERNOR RICHARD OGLESBY— CLOSE OF THE 

CIVIL WAR. 



282. Important Legislation. — The new governor was 
not inducted into office till January 17. Governor 
Oglesby was a man who was seldom moderate in anything 
|)olitical. His views were very radical and his language 



A Student's History of Illinois 205 

often very harsh. The people of the State came to know 
him better as time went on, and his kindliness of nature 
won him many very warm friends. 

One of the very important acts of the legislature was 
the ratification of the thirteenth amendment to the con- 
stitution. This amendment was passed by congress and 
signed by the President February 1, 1865. Senator 
Trumbull telegraphed the news to Governor Oglesby and 
the legislature w^as ofiicially notified of the fact by the 
governor in a very earnest message, and on the same day 
of its signature by President Lincoln it was ratified by the 
legislature of Illinois. Thus Illinois was the first State 
to ratify the thirteenth amendment abolishing slavery in 
the United States. 

The notorious "Black Laws," which had disgraced the 
statute books for several decades were repealed at this 
session. The school for feeble minded children was estab- 
lished, and also a home for the children of deceased 
soldiers. 

Other matters to receive legislative sanction : Registry 
of voters; improvement of the Illinois and Michigan 
Canal; office of adjutant general created; shipment of 
grain and stock in the order of its delivery to the shipping 
station. 

283, Lincoln Assassinated. — On the evening of the 
14th of April, while Mr. Lincoln was attending a the- 
atrical performance at Ford's Theatre in the city of Wash- 
ington, he "was shot by John Wilkes Booth, an actor. Mr. 
Lincoln died from the effects of the wound on the morn- 
ing of the next day. As the sad news reached the remote 
corners of the Union, there was universal and sincere 
mourning. Mr. Lincoln was shot on Friday night, and 
on the following Tuesday morning the White House was 
opened and thousands of people passed silently by the bier 



206 



A Student's History of Illinois 



of their beloved President. On Wednesday funeral serv- 
ices were held by Bishop Simpson, of the M. E. Church, 
assited by Dr. Gurley, Mr. Lincoln's pastor. On Thurs- 
day, the body lay in state in the capitol, and on Friday, 
the 21st, it was placed in Mr. Lincoln's private car and 
began its long and tedious journey from Washington to 
Springfield, 




Memorial Meeting in Bloomington upon the Death 
of President Lincoln. 



The funeral train reached Springfield May 3. The 
remains lay in the rotunda of the State House on the 3d 
and 4th, and on the afternoon of the latter day were 
deposited in a receiving vault in the city cemetery, beau- 
tiful Oakland cemetery. Here they rested until they were 
removed into the base of the magnificent monument 
erected by a grateful and loving people. 

284. Legislation. — Both branches of the legislature 
were Republican by large majorities. The delegation in 
congress stood eleven Republicans and three Democrats. 

The legislature met January 7, 1867. The governor's 



A SUident's History of Illinois 207 

message was full of the spirit of devotion to the Union. 
He praised without stint the services of the soldiers and 
congratulated a soldiery who could return from the field 
of carnage and be absorbed into the employments of indus- 
trial life. The message expressed the universal love and 
esteem in which the late President was held by all the 
people. 

At this session of the legislature what came to be the 
State University was founded. The general government 
had in July, 1862, made gifts of land to all states in pro- 
portion to their representation in congress for the encour- 
agement of higher education. Illinois received as her 
share of the land 480,000 acres. The University was lo- 
cated at Urbana, Champaign county. 

285. New State House. — Another interesting bit of leg- 
islation by this general assembly was the steps taken 
toward building a new State House. When this question 
came up efforts were made to move the capital, but these 
efforts were unsuccessful and Springfield was assured of 
the permanency of the capital on February 25, 1867, 
when a bill became law which appropriated. $3, 000, 000 for 
a new capitol building. The corner stone was laid October 
5, 1868, and the building was accepted in 1888, twenty 
vears later. 

The building when finished cost about $4,500,000. It 
is one of the most imposing state capitols in the Union. 
It is 879 feet north and south, and 868 feet east and west. 
The top of the flag staff rises 450 feet into the air; the 
building was, when constructed, said to be the highest 
public building in the United States. The interior is 
adorned with beautiful statuary, bas-relief, and paintings. 
It is a building of which every citizen of the State may 
justly be proud, and one which every boy and girl ought 
to visit. 



208 



A Student's History of Illinois 



286. A Resourceful State. — Although the war had 
taken more than 200,000 able-bodied men from the State, 
there had been great advancement in all lines of mate- 
rial growth. The census of 1865 showed a population of 
'2,141,540, an increase of 25 per cent over the figures of 
1(S60. Much of this increase was the result of innnigra- 
tion. In the first two years of the war money was scarce 
and prices low, but by 1863 money became plentiful and 




State House, Springfield. 



prices for all forms of labor and its products rose rapidly. 
A farm of 80 acres sold for $60 per acre about the year 
1864. The new owner raised a fine crop of wheat Avhich 
he marketed at a big price. He paid for his farm with 
the proceeds. 

287. The Election.— The summer of 1868 witnessed 
another State and national campaign. The Republicans 
put out Gen. John M. Palmer for governor and instructed 



A Student's History of Illinois 209 

for General Grant for president. The Democrats named 
John R. Eden for governor and favored Georgo II. Pendle- 
ton, of Ohio, for president. The platforms followed previ- 
ous declarations of principles. The national parties held 
their conventions — the Republicans in Chicago, May 21, 
1868, nominated Gen. U. S. Grant for president, and 
Schuyler Colfax for vice-president. The Democrats met 
in New York City and nominated Horatio Seymour, of 
New York, and Frank P. Blair, of Missouri, for president 
and vice-president, respectively. The campaign centered 
upon the policy of reconstruction. The Republicans uni- 
formly supported the congressional theory, while the 
Democrats as uniformly opposed that legislation. Palmer 
was elected governor for the term 1869-73. The legis- 
lature was also Republican. 



210 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

SOME PHASES OF THE CIVIL WAR. 

2&8. The War Governors. — The relation between the 
general goveniiiient and the State government is so vital 
that neither could carry on what is regarded as its legiti- 
mate work without the aid of the other. Especially is this 
true of their relationship in time of war. The President 
is commander-in-chief of the army and navy and of the 
militia when called into the service of the general govern- 
ment. But practically the President is dependent upon 
the state machinery for the enlisting and organizing of the 
militia. Thus it h'appened that from 1861 to the end of 
the war, the President called on the loyal governors to 
raise troops for service in the Union army. In 1861, when 
the first call for troops was made, many of the governors 
did not pay any attention to the request of the President. 
It soon developed that certain of the governors of the states 
were not to be depended on for any help of any sort, while 
others were ready at all times to do all in their power to 
assist the president in the prosecution of the war. 

Those governors who loyally supported the President 
soon came to be known as the ''War Governors." Among 
those who thus recevied this honorable title were: 

Richard Yates, of Illinois. 

Nathaniel S. Berry, of New Hampshire. 

Andrew G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania. 

David Tod, of Ohio. 

Francis H. Pierpont, of Virginia. 

John A. Andrew, of Massachusetts. 

Augustus W. Bradford, of Maryland. 



A Student's History of Illinois 211 

Austin Blair, of Michigan. 

William Sprague, of Rhode Island. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood, of Iowa. 

Edward Salomon, of Wisconsin. 

289. The Draft.— In July, 1862, the President called 
for 300,000 troops, and on the 4th of August, he called for 
300,000 more. The reply of the various states was not as 
prompt as it was hoped, and the draft of the militia was 
resorted to in some of the states. 

A bill for enrolling and calling out the national forces 
was introduced into congress which, after bitter opposition 
from anti-administration members, was made into law 
the 3d of March, 1863. 

It provided for a provost-marshal general, who was to 
have charge of this bureau in the war department. The 
states were divided into districts corresponding to the con- 
gressional districts over each of which was a provost- 
marshal, assisted by a commissioner, and a surgeon. This 
board divided its district into sub-districts with an enroll- 
ing officer who should enroll all able bodied men in the 
sub-district, usually a county. 

In this way the total reserve force could be accurately 
determined. By dividing the ''call" for troops, let us say 
500,000, by the reserve force of the nation which we may 
call 2,500,000, we get the proportion of the reserve in any 
county which that county must furnish. In this problem 
we get 20 per cent ; that is, 20 per cent of the able bodied 
men who have been enrolled in any area must answer to 
the call. If in any county, as Morgan, the enrollment of 
able bodied men is 1,000, then one-fifth of them, or 200 
must go to the front. If within a limited time there are not 
200 volunteers, then the provost-marshal will draw from 
the names of the 1,000 able bodied men, 200 names. 
These men are said to be "drafted" and must go to the 
front or furnish a "substitute." However, the law at first 



212 A Student's History of Illinois 

provided that the drafted man might pay $300, and be 
released. In many cities, townships, and counties enough 
money was raised by popular subscription to exempt that 
particular county or other district from the draft. On 
July 4, 1864, this commutation plan was repealed. So 
that from that date each drafted man must go to the front 
or furnish a substitute. 

The draft was not run in Illinois till 1864. In that 
year the State was behind its quota, 3,538. This number 
was raised by drafting. A cousin of the writer was drafted 
and paid $1^200 for a ''substitute." 

290, Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — We have 
already spoken of the visit of Governor Yates to the battle- 
field of Shiloh. All through the later years of the war 
tliere were at work all sorts of organizations intended to 
relieve the suffering of the soldiers in camp and upon 
battlefield. A sanitary commission was organized by 
Governor Yates. The head of this commission was Col. 
John Williams. There was also a board of directors. 
Under the direction of this board there were organized 
auxiliary commissions in every locality where there were 
public spirited, patriotic women. The work done by these 
conmiissions was to gather together and forward to the 
front every species of clothing, food, medicine, needles, 
pins, scissors, buttons, writing paper, envelopes, in fact 
anything a soldier at the front would find comfort in. 
Fairs and suppers and othcx- means of raising money w^ere 
resorted to. The writer remembers attending an all-day 
gathering of w^omen and men at the Bethel church, five 
miles ea.st of Roodhouse, Greene county, where they tore 
sheets and pillow cases into strips about as w^de as the four 
fingers. These w^erc rolled u]) into c()m])act rolls and 
[lacked away in a box. He also remembers that several 
women had old fashioned caseknives which were ke])t 
sharpened, and with these they scraped "lint" from old 



A Student's History of Illinois 213 

table cloths. The lint was carefully packed away, and 
when asked by an inquisitive boy what it was for, they 
said it was "to stop the flow of blood." 

The Christian commission's work was not very different 
in spirit at least from that of the sanitary commission. 
However, its work was confined to the relief of those who 
were bereft of fathers and brothers, and to the care of the 
returned soldiers. It was all a labor of love. During the 
war more than a million dollars in money was raised by 
these commissions and expended in the various channels 
of relief. 

291. The Knights of the Golden Circle. — There were 
during the war individuals and organizations in the north- 
ern states who earnestly desired the success of the rebellion. 
One of these organizations came to be known as the 
Knights of the Golden Circle. This organization was 
made up of sympathizers with secession. However, now 
and then a loyal man would join, not knowing the exact 
purposes and w^orkings of the order. They had a sort of 
ritual, and opened and closed the order in some such man- 
ner as the secret orders of the present time. They met in 
school houses or in halls, and in one instance the writer 
remembers they took possession of a country church. 
Guards were posted, usually four, at a distance of thirty 
or forty feet from the building. These guards who were 
armed had ''beats" and easily kept boys and loafers at a 
safe distance. The meetings were held chiefly at night. 
One line of work which the order carried on was to dis- 
suade soldiers, home on furlough, from returning to their 
regiments at the end of their leave of absence. 

292. Caring for the Widows. — The Civil War occurred 
over a half century ago, and it will be with no little diffi- 
culty that young people of today picture accurately the 
social and economic conditions of that date. In the south- 
ern counties of Illinois the settlers were formerly from the 



214 A Student's History of Illinois 

southern states and lived not very differently from the 
people in the sections from which they came. Usually the 
fuel, wood in those days, was provided as it was used. 
Corn and fodder seldom lasted through the winter, unless 
it was fed very sparingly. Spinning and weaving, cutting 
and making, w^ere all carried on in the same room and by 
the same woman. The meat was fattened in the falj and 
"butchered" in the cold weather, salted, and smokeo ready 
for the summer's use. It turned out that when the war 
came on many a husband and father volunteered and went 
to the front, only on condition that the neighbors would 
look after his wife and children till he should return. 
They solemnly promised and as sacredly fulfilled the 
promise. Every fall parties of the old men and larger 
boys went from nlaoe to place in the neighborhood doing 
up the fall workior thg^amilies wh^e fathers and older 
brothers were in the souui-land. ^^jj^od-choppings, corn- 
huskings, and hog-killings w^ere common in all the loyal 
neighborhoods. Nor was it an uncommon thing to see 
women d^ing the woii of men. They often chopped the 
wood, gathered the ^rn, milked the cows, fed the stock, 
and in summer time helped to tend the crop. The rebel- 
lion could not have been crushed had it not been for the 
loyal women of the land. 

293. Disturbances in Illinois. — No battles were fought 
on Illinois soil. But we cannot say that no blood was shed 
within her territory during the Civil War. The public 
mind was much disquieted. The bitterest feelings often 
existed between neighbors who, previous to the outbreak 
of hostilities, were the best of friends. It was no uncom- 
mon thing to see people attend public gatherings armed 
with large revolvers. A young man who had been arrested 
by some soldiers was lodged in a detention camp in Spring- 
field, and after nearly a year's confinement died of the 
measles. His bodv was sent home and funeral services 



A Student's History of Illinois 215 

held at the homestead. As the hearse drove away from 
the home, neighbors to the number of probably a couple 
of dozen carried revolvers buckled on the outside of their 
clothing. It was a strange sight. 

The Knights of the Golden Circle influenced some of 
the soldiers home on furlough not to return, and the 
provost-marshal was not able to gather up all these de- 
linquents. They often resisted the marshal and small 
bodies of delinquents and Knights would often scour the 
country usually at night and threaten the loyal people 
with death for informing on them. In Scott and Greene 
counties the threats, and open defiance of law became un- 
bearable, and Governor Yates was asked to send a company 
of soldiers to restore a semblance of loyalty to the govern- 
ment. A company under Captain King of a Michigan 
regiment landed at Manchester, Scott county, in the sum- 
mer of 1863. They soon found plenty of good horses, 
saddles, and bridles, greatly to the amazement of certain 
farmers who were Knights of the Golden Circle. They 
had little trouble in finding forage and meals. 

These soldiers soon restored order in Greene, for they 
captured, one autumn morning, a camp of Knights and 
hurried them away to Springfield for safe keeping. Many 
soldiers whose furloughs had expired were captured by 
Captain King's soldiers. These delinquents were court- 
martialed and sent to the Dry Tortugas Islands, where they 
suffered very greatly. At a place on Panther's creek, in 
the northwest corner of Macoupin county, Knights and de- 
linquent soldiers gathered to the extent of two or three 
hundred. They had large quantities of arms, munitions, 
and provisions and presented a formidable appearance. 
A man by the name of Steely, who had been a sort of 
outlaw, was killed on the streets of Scottsville, Macoupin 
county, by the provost-rq^rshal, Doce Hackney, of White 
Hall. The soldiers soon dispersed all opposition. 



216 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR JOHN M. PALMER. 
1869—1873. 



Governor Palmer was a native of Kentucky where he was born in 
1817. He came to Illinois in 1831, and settled with his father upon 
a farm. His early school advantages were poor indeed, but shortly 
after settling in Illinois he attended Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, 
for a short time. He afterwards taught school. He also studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1839, when only twenty-two 
years old. He served in the legislature and was recognized as a man 
of great strength of character. He was in his earlier years a con- 
sistent Democrat, but after the repeal of the Missouri Compromise 
he left that party and helped to organize the Republican party. He 
won distinction in the Civil War and was made a major general. 
Governor Palmer was somewhat pronounced in his views on the 
subject of State rights. In 1S72 he supported Greeley for presi- 
dent and thenceforth allied himself with the Democratic party. He 
was United States Senator from 1891 to 1897. He revolted against 
"free silver" in 1896 and was the Democratic candidate for the 
presidency, on a sound money platform, in 1896. He died in Spring- 
field, Sept. 25, 1900. 



A Student's History of Illinois 217 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR JOHN M. PALMER. 

294. Some Laws. — Among the laws enacted in Pal- 
mer's administration were those providing for the organi- 
zation of a board of pubhc charities; to further provide 
for the insane patients by estabhshing another asylum at 
Elgin; to establish a State Normal School at Carbondale. 
Another law, creating general interest, was one ceding to 
the city of Chicago, about thirty acres of the submerged 
lands on the lake front in Chicago; and also granting to 
the Illinois Central and Michigan Central railroads cer- 
tain submerged lands for the use of tracks, warehouses, 
depots, etc. Considerable litigation followed and 
eventually the law was repealed. 

295. Revision of the Constitution. — In 1867, a law was 
passed which permitted the people to vote whether or not 
they Avished the constitution revised. The vote was taken 
in November, 1868, and carried. In the legislature of 
1869 an election was ordered for eighty-five delegates to 
a State convention to meet December 13, 1869. 

The body of men composing the convention contained 
some of the most prominent in the State and it is admitted 
that the constitution, the result of their labors, is a docu- 
ment of great merit. Two features may be mentioned as 
of special interest. First, the legislature was forbidden 
to pass special legislation upon twenty-four general sub- 
jects; and second, the constitution is mandatory upon the 
legislature to provide legislation upon a large number of 
subjects. Liberal provisions were made for salaries and 
for the maintenance of government. 



218 



A Student's History of Illinois 



The constitution prohibits municipaUties from sub- 
scribing for any stock in any railroad or private corpora- 
tion ; limits the rate of taxation and amount of indebted- 
ness that may be incurred ; prohibits special legislation ; 
declares elevators and warehouses public utilities and pro- 
vides for their inspection ; enjoins upon the legislature the 
maintenance of an efficient public school system ; pro- 
hibits any appropriation of money for any sectarian pur- 




■9iSBB19ill"BanHi 
■■■MBaaBsiiaaaa 

HMlpMIBElWMMMKa 
BHUHIi Hi iHHBW ■< w H ■■ Hrrn 





•■■■■■■■■■■■n^Busaii 
^■■■■■■■■■■■iw" — 

. '■■■■■■■■■^' 

I'yiaaiilBipr- 




Map of the Burned District, Chicago. 



poses whatever; appellate courts are authorized; and 
salaries of State officers are fixed by legislative action. 

296. The Chicago Fire.— On Sunday night about 9 :80 
o'clock, October 8, 1871, a fire started in the stable or 
sheds in the rear of 137 De Koven street. This locality 
was, at that time, in the poorer part of the city. There 
were many poor people living in this section of the city 
in the old wooden buildings which had stood for many 
years. There were planing mills near, and the poor peo- 
ple had their sheds and out-buildings full of shavings to 



A Student's History of Illinois 219 

be used as kindling. The wind was brisk and it seemed 
everything pointed to the doom of the city. When the 
flames spread to the better part of the city, the elegant 
stone, and brick, and granite buildings melted as if they 
had been of wood. 

All day on Monday the fire raged. The water tower 
was consumed, hotels, depots, ware-houses, churches, 
theatres, and palatial homes were burned. Men early 
ceased their labors to save the city, and gave their atten- 
tion toward saving people and some personal effects. 

Believing the militia, deputy sheriffs, and the police- 
men were not equal to the task of guarding property and 
life, the mayor asked Lieut. Gen. Philip Sheridan to assist 
the regularly constituted authorities. General Sheridan 
was at that time stationed above the city on Lake Michi- 
gan. This request General Sheridan complied with. Gov- 
ernor Palmer insisted that the mayor should not have 
called upon the federal authorities for help so long as 
there was help under the control of the State which might 
have been had for the asking. 

297. Campaign of 72. — Many prominent Republicans 
in the nation had become alienated from the Republican 
party and there was rapidly coming to the public notice 
a third party which took the name of the Liberal Repub- 
lican Party. This party was joined by some very promi- 
nent Illinois Republicans, some of whom were David 
Davis, Lyman Trumbull, Governor Palmer, John Went- 
worth, and many others. The national convention for 
this party met at Cincinnati May 1, 1872, and nominated 
Horace Greely and B. Gratz Brown for president and vice- 
president. 

The Democratic national convention met in Balti- 
more and endorsed the Liberal Party's candidates and 
platform. 

The Republican party held its national convention in 



220 



A Student's History of Illinois 



Philadelphia and nominated General Grant for president 
for a second term and Henry Wilson for vice-president. 

The Republicans of Illinois nominated General Oglesby 
for governor, and General John L. Beveridge for lieuten- 
ant governor. The Democrats named Gustavus Koerner 
for governor and Gen. John C. Black for lieutenant 
governor. 

The campaign was bitter. Greely had been a stanch 
supporter of Lincoln and the war, and had said some 
harsh and uncomplimentary things of the Democratic 
party and its doctrines, and many old line Democrats 
found it very difficult to support him. Grant was severely 
criticized by some of the best men in the Republican party 
as formerly organized. But after a long canvass the 
Republicans were victorious in State and nation. 




The First Court House in Chicago. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



221 




GOVERNOR JOHN L. BEVERIDGE. 

1873—1877. 

John L. Beveridge was born in New York in 1S24. In 1842 he 
came to Illinois. He received an academy education, taught school, 
and studied law. When the war of the rebellion broke out he 
helped to organize the 8th regiment. He later became the colonel 
of this regiment. At the close of the war he was breveted Brig- 
adier-General. He served in congress, was elected Lieut.-Governor 
with General Oglesby. He held the position of assistant United 
States Treasurer in Chicago for a number of years. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



GOVERNOR JOHN L. BEVERIDGE— A PERIOD OF UNREST. 



298. Senatorship, — Gov. Richard J. Oglesby was inaug- 
urated as governor of Illinois for the second time, January 
13, 1873. The legislature which had convened a few days 



222 A Student's History of Illinois 

previously must elect a United States senator to succeed 
the Hon. Lyman Trumbull, whose third term would close 
March 4, 1873. The legislature, being largely Republi- 
can, selected a man of that party to succeed Trumbull. 
Governor Oglesby was the one agreed upon and he was 
elected. 

299. An Independent Party. — By the early spring and 
summer of 1874, it was seen that a new factor had entered 
State politics. This new factor was known as the Granger 
Movement. The National Grange or Patrons of Hus- 
bandry was organized in 1869, and had for its object the 
uniting of all agriculturists for the better securing of 
their rights as producers and shippers and for the social, 
moral, and educational uplift of the sons and daughters 
of the farmers. It entered politics and was joined by the 
Democratic party, and other opponents of the Republican 
party. These forces were thus able to defeat the Republi- 
can candidate for superintendent of public instruction 
while in many smaller divisions of the State fusion can- 
didates were elected. 

300. Legislation.— Few laws were passed by the legisla- 
ture which met January, 1873. The farmers secured a law 
to organize agricultural societies. A million dollars was 
appropriated toward the completion of the new state house. 
The farmers and shii:)pers secured a law regulating the 
charges for the transportation of passengers and freight. 
The other laws passed by the legislature of 1875 were few 
and of comparatively slight importance. Ten thousand dol- 
lars was appropriated for the expense of the celebration of 
the 100th anniversary of American independence. The 
legislature w\as regarded as a very economical body. 

SOL Campaign of '76. — The secession of a large body 
of prominent leaders from the Republican party in 1872, 
and the rise of the Greenback party, and the Granger 
party made it a little doubtful whether the Republicans 



A Student's History of Illinois 223 

would be able to carry the next State and national elec- 
tions. The State Republican ticket was, for governor, 
Shelby M. Cullom. The Democrats named, for governor, 
Lewis Stewart, the nominee of the Greenback and Reform 
party. 

Shelby M. Cullom and other other Republican nominees 
for State offices were elected. 

Governor Beveridge had made a very conservative 
executive. The finances of the State were well managed, 
the debt having been reduced more than half a million 
dollars. His parting message was a very thoughtful con- 
sideration of the affairs of the State. He also advised 
moderation in the trying ordeal through which the nation 
at that time was passing. 



224 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR SHELBY M. CULLOM. 
1877—1883. 



Gov. Shelby M. Cullom was a native of Kentucky, having been 
born in Wayne county, tliat .state, November 22, 1S29. He came 
to Tazewell county, Illinoi.s, when about two years old. Governor 
Cullom was brought up on a farm and learned the lessons of hard 
and honest toil, and also those of sacrifice and lack of opportunity. 
However, through perseverance and constant toil he secured a 
fairly good education at the Rock River Seminary, Mount Morris, 
Illinois. He afterward became a lawyer. He served in the State 
legislature and also in congress. He was twice elected governor of 
Illinois — in 1876, 1880. He served from 1883 to 1913 in the United 
States senate. No man was more genuinely admired as a public 
servant by the people of Illinois. For many years he was chairman 
of the Committee on Foreign Relations, the most honored position 
in the senate. At the close of his term as senator, March 4, 1913, 
he was appointed resident commissioner of the National Lincoln 
Memorial, a great two million dollar structure to be built in Wash- 
ington in honor of the great president. He died in Washington, 
January 28, 1914. He was buried in Springfield with great honor. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



225 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR CULLOM. 

302. David Davis. — The first thing for the legislature 
was the election of a successor of General Logan to the 
United States senate. The Republicans lacked a few votes 
of having a majority of all the votes in both houses. 




The Home of John A. Logan in Benton, Franklin County. 



Logan was supported by the Republicans. Palmer by the 
Democrats, with about fifteen votes scattered. These inde- 
pendent votes could not be brought to either of the old 
parties, so after many ballots in joint session David Davis 
was elected. He was at this time on the supreme bench, 



226 A Student's History of Illinois 

whicli place he resigned to take the seat in the United 
States senate to which he had just been elected. 

The legislature passed among other laws a measure 
creating the state appellate court. This court is just below 
the supreme court and was intended to relieve the over- 
crowded condition of the supreme court. It is still a 
part of the state judicial system and has greatly relieved 
the higher court. 

303. Railroad Strike. — In the summer of 1877 a gen- 
eral railroad strike was ordered. And inasmuch as Illi- 
nois had many thousands of miles of railroads, this State 
became the scene of much disorder, and destruction of 
property. The militia was called into service; and the 
governor asked the general government to allow a small 
detachment of regulars, on its way from the west to the 
east, to stop in Chicago and assist in preserving order, 
which it did. Much rioting, and destruction of property 
occurred in East St. Louis and at other points as at Peoria, 
Galesburg, Decatur, Braidwood, etc. Several lives were 
lost and much bitter feeling engendered. 

304. Senator Logan. — Governor Oglesby's term as 
United States senator expired March 4, 1879, and he 
desired to be returned, but John A. Logan got the endorse- 
ment of the Republican caucus. Logan was elected, the 
Democrats voting for Gen. John C. Black. 

The legislative session was a very busy one and passed 
some really valuable laws. Among them may be men- 
tioned — a law on banking, one reducing the interest rate, 
a law creating houses of correction, and revising the law 
relating to roads and bridges. 

305. Reelected. — The campaign of 1880 was a hard 
fought battle in both State and nation. Governor Cullom 
was a candidate for re-election. He was opposed by Judge 
Lyman Trumbull, the Democratic candidate. The Repub- 
licans were successful in national and State election. 



A Student's History of Illinois 227 

306. Out o£ Debt. — The legislature met January 5, 
1881, and on the 7th the governor sent his message to the 
general assembly. He said the debt of the State had, vir- 
tually, all been paid. At this time the total value of five 
grains, — corn, wheat, rye, oats, and barley, raised the past 
year in Illinois was $301,217,545.00; while the total value 
of manufactured products was $346,454,393.00. The 
assessed valuation of all personal and real property in the 
State was $786,616,394.00. 

307. Elected Senator. — The congressional elections oc- 
curred in the fall of 1882. Gen. John C. Smith, the 
Republican candidate for treasurer, was elected over his 
Democratic opponent, Mr. Alfred Orendorff, while Henry 
Raab, the Democratic candidate for superintendent of 
public instruction was elected over his Republican oppon- 
ent, Mr. Charles T. Stratton. The legislature organized 
and proceeded to the election of a successor to David Davis 
as United States senator. Governor Cullom was elected 
to this post of honor, over his opponent, Gen. John M. 
Palmer. Governor Cullom resigned his office of governor 
and the lieutenant governor was promoted to the office of 
chief executive. 



228 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR JOHN M. HAMILTON. 
1883—1885. 

John M. Hamilton was a native of Oliio. When a mere lad his 
father's family moved to Marshall county, this state. At the age 
of 17 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Vol- 
unteers for 100 days. After the war was over he attended the 
Wesleyan University in Ohio from which he graduated. He later 
became a Professor of Languages in the Wesleyan University at 
Bloomington, this state. He later was admitted to the bar, served 
in the legislature, was elected Lieut.-Governor in 1880, and by the 
election of Gov. Cullom to the United States senate, he became 
governor of the .state. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



GOVERNOR JOHN M. HAMILTON. 



308. High License. — 'i'lie legislature, at the session of 
1883, enacted what is usually called the Harper High 
License Law. This law raised the license of dram shops 



A Student's History of Illinois 229 

lo not less than $500. The discussion which this legisla- 
tion created tended greatly to the dissemination of a 
knowledge of the iniquity of the dram shops; and much 
good was done by this discussion in that it lessened the 
number of low "dives" in large cities and also awakened 
people to a realization of the dreadful consequences of the 
dram shop business. 

A compulsory education law w^as passed, and also a 
law creating training schools for boys. 

Riots occurred in the mining regions in the south part 
of the State, and the militia was called out. The disturb- 
ance was easily quieted after the militia got once in the 
disturbed territory. Some lives were lost. 

The presidential election of 1884 absorbed the entire 
[)olitical life of the people of Illinois. The Republicans 
of the State were enthusiastic for John A. Logan for 
President of the United States. But when the convention 
was held James G. Blaine was named for the first place 
and Gen. Logan accepted the second place on the national 
ticket. The Democrats were enthusiastic for their ticket 
which included Grover Cleveland for President and 
Thomas A. Hendricks for vice-president. 

The Democrats Avon the national election but lost Illi- 
nois to the Republicans. Gen. Richard J. Oglesby was 
for the third time elected governor of Illinois. 



230 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

GOVERNOR RICHARD J. OGLESBY. 

1885-1889. 

309. Dead Lock. — Governor Oglesby was inaugurated 
January 30, 1885. This was the third time he had been 
inducted into the office of governor of Ilhnois. This was 
a rare instance, probably few other governors were ever 
elected and inaugurated the third time. 

The legislature stood, 102 Republicans on joint ballot 
with 102 in opposition. Three deaths occurred among 
the members of the legislature — two Democrats and one 
Republican. Two Republicans and one Democrat were 
elected to fill the vacancies and this gave the Republicans 
103 votes on joint ballot and Gen. Logan was elected 
U. S. Senator. 

310. Legislation.— This contest over the senatorship 
had so absorbed the legislative mind that no general legisla- 
tion was had till the contest was over. The appropriations 
were then passed, including a half million to complete 
the State House. A soldiers' and sailors' home was pro- 
vided at Quincy, a primary law to apply to political 
parties was passed. 

Another important and far reaching action was taken. 
An amendment to the constitution was proposed and 
carried at the election providing that convicts could no 
longer be hired out to contractors. 

The session of the legislature which met in January, 
1887, passed comparatively few laws. Out of a total of 
1285 bills introduced into the legislature only 218 became 
laws. This session of the legislature set apart February 



A Student's History of Illinois 231 

22 as a day upon which joint memorial services should be 
had in honor of "our deceased, distinguished citizens, Gen. 
John A. Logan and Judge David Davis." 

311. Hay Market Riots. — In the same summer oc- 
curred the "Hay Market" riots in Chicago. A public meet- 
ing was held in the open air on Halsted street, late one 
afternoon. The participants were all or mostly all for- 
eigners, and probably had little conception of what it 
meant to be engaged in a conspiracy against authority. 
Quite a body of police arrived just about the time the riot- 
ers were wrought up to a high pitch by reason of some 
incendiary speeches. Bombs were thrown in among the 
police and seven policemen killed outright while about 
sixty were wounded. Vigorous civil prosecutions fol- 
lowed. Four of the rioters were hanged and two were 
imprisoned for life, and one committed suicide. 

312. Campaign of 1888.— The campaign of 1888 re- 
sulted in the selection of Joseph W. Fifer, the Republican 
candidate for governor, over his opponent, John M. 
Palmer, the Democratic nominee. This was also the presi- 
dential year, and the race for President was between 
Grover Cleveland and Gen. Benjamin Harrison. Harri- 
son was elected. 



232 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR JOSEPH W. FIFER. 

1889—1893. 

Joseph W. Pifer was a Virginian. His father was a stone and 
brick mason. Young Fifer worked at these trades with his father 
in McLean county, III. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Joseph 
entered the service in the Thirty-third Regiment. He was shot 
through the lungs at the attack on Jackson, Miss., in 1863. At the 
close of the war he attended the Wesleyan College at Bloomington, 
where he was graduated in 1868. He studied law, served in the 
legislature, and was elected governor in the campaign of 188S. He 
is still living (1!)17) and is an honored citizen of Illinois. 



CHAPTER 



JOSEPH W. FIFER, GOVERNOR. 



313. Private Joe. — The heroes of the Civil War who 
had previously served as governors were officers of high 
rank, but in the case of Mr. Fifer the people had elevated 
a private to this exalted station, and so he was familiarly 



A Student's History of Illinois 



233 



called "Private Joe." He was inaugurated on the 14th of 
January, 1889. 

His inaugural address was pitched upon the high plane 
of political purity, and acquiescence in the will of the 
majority. He also showed himself a friend to the laborer 
and to the cause of education. 

314. Drainage Canal.— The general assembly, on May 
29, 1889, created what was called the "Sanitary District 




i=3?;^^=^i-;i^ 




Chicago Drainage Canal, near Lockport. Here the canal was cut out 

of solid rock. 

of Chicago." This law provided for the removal of obstruc- 
tiojis from the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers, and the 
opening of a channel from Lake Michigan to the Des 
Plaines so as to cause a flow of water from the lake to the 
head waters of the Illinois river. 

Work was begun September 3, 1892, and completed in 
January, 1900. The canal proper begins six miles up 
the Chicago river and runs twenty-eight miles southwest 



234 



A Student's History of Illinois 



to the Des Plaines at Lockport. The canal is on an aver- 
age about 175 feet wide and sustains a depth of water 
twenty-two feet. The current is less than two miles per 
hour but this is sufticient to carry away all the sewerage 
of the city and thus purify the waters of Lake Michigan. 

This great canal cost nearly $37,000,000. It is in- 
tended to serve two great purposes, first the sanitation of 
the city of Chicago, and second as a portion of a deep 
water way from the Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. 

315. Origin of the World's Fair. — The Chicago Inter- 
State Exposition, an organization of the city of Chicago, 
first suggested the holding of a World's Fair in Chicago to 
celebrate the discovery of America. The enterprise met 
with favor throughout the country. Senator Cullom suc- 
ceeded in getting a bill through congress locating the Fair 
in Chicago, and also an appropriation of a large sum 
for an exhibit. A corporation was formed in Chicago with 
a capital of $10,000,000. 

This was a great exposition. Nearly every civilized 




Illinois Building, World's Fair, 1893. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



235 



country on the globe sent commissioners and exhibits. 
IlHnois had a most magnificent exhibit in a spacious 
building of wonderfully beautiful architectural design. 
Nearly a million dollars was expended by the State in the 
building and exhibits. 

The Fair was a great means of advertising the State and 
particularly the city of Chicago. The White City by the 
lake will remain a vision of beauty and a joy forever in 
the minds of all who beheld its classic proportions. In 
the session of the legislature which convened in 1891, 
there was a number of laws passed which were really 
meritorious. Among them may be mentioned — the set- 
ting aside of the first Monday in September as Labor Day, 
a legal holiday; reducing the rate of interest to five per 
cent with seven per cent as the maximum by contract ; 
providing for registration of voters every two years. 




Kaskaskia Monument. 



316. Old Kaskaskia. — For several years prior to 1891. 
the Mississippi river had been cutting across the peninsula 



236 A Student's History of Illinois 

and finally reached the Kaskaskia. It then began to 
encroach upon the town. The north and east parts of the 
village began to disappear in the river. The cemetery 
would soon be engulfed. The legislature of the year 1891 
appropriated $10,000 for the purpose of securing a new 
burying ground and for moving the bodies to the new site. 
About 3,000 bodies were removed in 1892-3, the new 
cemetery which is near old Fort Gage on the east side of 
the river. A large monument w^as erected in the new 
cemetery bearing this inscription : 



THOSE WHO SLEEP HERE WERE FIRST BURIED AT 
KASKASKIA, AND AFTERWARDS REMOVED TO THIS 
CEMETERY. THEY WERE THE EARLY PIONEERS 
OF THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. THEY 
PLANTED FREE INSTITUTIONS IN A WILDERNESS, 
AND WERE THE FOUNDERS OF A GREAT COMMON- 
WEALTH. IN MEMORY OF THEIR SACRIFICES, 
ILLINOIS GRATEFULLY ERECTS THIS MONUMENT. 

1892 



Nothing is now left of Old Kaskaskia the once proud 
center of fashion and power. As one stands near the old 
site he is carried back over a period of one hundred 
and fifty years to the thriving, bustling capital of the 
"Illinois Country," to Kaskaskia, the largest city west of 
the Alleghany mountains. 

317. Landslide.— The State government had been ad- 
ministered by the Reiniblican i)arty for so many years 
that some may have thought the party could not be dis- 
lodged. But if many held such views, their minds were 
disabused in the fall of 1892; for John P. Altgeld, the 
Democratic candidate for governor, was elected. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



237 




GOVERNOR JOHN P. ALTGELD. 

1893—1897. 

John P. Altgeld was born in Prussia in 1848. Shortly after this 
date his parents came to America and settled in Ohio. At the age 
of 16 he enlisted in the 164th Ohio Infantry. After the war he 
studied law, and practiced his profession in Chicago. He was 
elected a judge of the Superior Court of Cook County in 1886. He 
was elected governor of the state in the election of 1892. He was 
a candidate for reelection in 1896 but was defeated by John R. Tan- 
ner, the Republican candidate. Governor Altgeld was what we are 
so proud of in this country, "a self made man." 



CHAPTER XL. 



GOVERNOR JOHN P. ALTGELD. 



318. An Author. — Governor Altgeld was born in Ger- 
many, and this may partly explain his strong convictions 
on some public questions. He had given some of the 



238 



A Student's History of Illinois 



time of a very busy lawyer's life to the study of how to 
deal with criminals. He wrote two books — one entitled, 
"Our Penal Machinery and its Victims;" the other, ''Live 
Questions/' and later he wrote a third volume. 

When Mr. Altgeld came to the governor's office, among 
all the perplexing questions which presented themselves 
to him, there was one which he did not shrink from 
answering as he thought it ought to be answered. This 
was a request for the pardon of the so-called '^ anarchists" 
who had been implicated in the Hay Market riots in Chi- 
cago. These men were serving life sentences in the peni- 
tentiary. The governor pardoned them in spite of the 
protests of his friends and foes. 




Ex-Vice-President Adlai E. Stevenson. 



319. Vice-President. — The national contest of 1892 was 
between Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, and Grover 
Cleveland, of New York. Tn Illinois, previous legislation 
on compulsory school attendance had alienated a large 



A Student's History of Illinois 239 

Republican vote from the Republican party, while the 
Prohibitionists and Greenbackers polled nearly 50,000 
votes, many of which came from the Republican ranks. 
However, the Democratic party was well organized and 
were determined. Illinois was highly honored in fur- 
nishing the vice-president, who served with Mr. Cleveland 
from 1893 to 1897— the Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson. Mr. 
Stevenson no doubt greatly strengthened the ticket in 
the west and especially in Illinois. Mr. Stevenson resided 
in Bloomington and was a highly respected citizen of the 
commonwealth. 

320. The Chicago Strike. — In the session of the legisla- 
ture of 1898 the usual number of laws w^as enacted. 
Among these laws we rhay mention the compulsory educa- 
tion law, establishing homes for juvenile offenders, estab- 
lishing a naval-militia, anti-sweat shop laws, etc. 

The World's Columbian Exposition occurred in Gov- 
ernor Altgeld's administration. 

The irrespressible conflict between capital and labor 
was renewed in 1894. The American Railway Union 
refused to agree to a reduction of wages in the Pullman 
shops at Chicago, and a general strike was precipitated. 

This strike presented the occasion for disorderly and 
vicious persons to ply their vocations, and by the middle 
of the summer great confusion reigned in the city of Chi- 
cago. Trains Avere derailed, perishable property was block- 
aded, the United State's mails were interfered with, and 
destruction of property was the regular order of the day. 
The courts issued injunctions which the marshals and fed- 
eral attorneys certified they could not enforce. The Presi- 
dent, Mr. Cleveland, ordered the United States troops from 
Fort Sheridan to the city to enforce the orders of the fed- 
eral courts. 

Governor Altgeld protested vigorously against the pres- 
ence of federal troops in the city, and upon the request of 



240 



A Student's History of Illinois 



the mayor sent four regiments of State troops. Order was 
subsequently restored. More than half a million dollars 
worth of property was destroyed, twelve lives lost, and a 
bad name attached to the strikers which they probably did 
not deserve. 

321. Altgeld Architecture. — Quite a number of public 
buildings were constructed during the four years of Mr. 
Altgeld's term. In the session of the legislature of 1895, 
two new normal schools were authorized. One was located 
at Charleston, the other at DeKalb. 

Governor Altgeld was deeply interested in the wise 
expenditure of the people's money, as well as in the kinds 
of buildings erected. He so impressed his ideas upon the 
architects and building committees that we may now see 
scattered over the State a peculiar type of pulilic l^uildings 
which is known as the Altgeld style of architecture. 









; : ■ ( 




, 1 ■ 


kvBhB 




■■f ; 









Altgeld Architecture — The Science Building, Normal 
University, Carbondale. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



241 



322. Election of 1896.— The campaign of 1896 will long 
be remembered by our people. Great issues were at stake 
and great men were the standard bearers. The national 
issues were the free and unlimited coinage of silver versus 
the gold standard, and the ever troublesome question of 
the tariff. The Democrats, in a wonderfully enthusiastic 
national convention in Chicago, nominated Wm. J. Bryan, 
who was born and brought up in Salem, Marion county, 
this state, but then a citizen of Nebraska. He championed 
free silver and a tariff for revenue only. The Republicans 
nominated Wm. McKinley of Ohio who championed the 
gold standard and a protective tariff. Governor Altgeld 
was renominated by the Democrats for governor, while 
the Republicans named John R. Tanner as their candi- 
date for that office. After a whirlwind campaign the 
Republicans were successful in electing their state and 
national tickets. 




Bryan's Old Home in Salem, 111. 



242 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR JOHN R. TANNER. 
1897—1901. 

Mr. Tanner was hailed as an "Egyptian," being a resident of 
Clay county, though born in Indiana. His education was obtained 
in the common schools. He enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illinois 
Volunteers at the age of nineteen. His father and three brothers 
were all enlisted in defense of the Union. Governor Tanner was 
a successful farmer as well as a shrewd politician. He held the 
offices of Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, State Senator, United States Marshal, 
State Treasurer, Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner, Assistant 
United States Sub-treasurer, and Governor. He was intensely loyal 
to his friends. He was not a candidate for reelection and died 
shortly after the close of his term of office. 



CHAPTER XLI. 



GOVERNOR JOHN R. TANNER. 



323. Some Legislation. — At the first session or 
the legiskiture an act was passed creating the 



A Student's History of Illinois 243 

board of pardons. The constitution placed the 
pardoning power in the hands of the governor with a 
provision that the legislature might regulate the manner 
of applying for pardon. A board of pardon was created 
consisting of three members, whose duty is to receive all 
applications for pardon and report their decisions to the 
governor. The board sits quarterly, but special sessions 
may be held. The second ''Torren's Land Act," a law for 
securing a better system of transferring land, was also 
passed. This law also provides for the confirming of land 
titles against which titles no prior claims to the lands are 
of any value. The system originated in Germany and is 
more than six hundred years old. It is in operation in 
Cook county in this State. It may be adopted in any 
county by a vote of the people. 

Other legislation pertained to the primary elections, the 
revenue laws, juvenile courts, pure food, preserving the 
game, and creating the Western Normal. 

324. Spanish American War. — When war broke out 
between the United States and Spain, following the. 
destruction of the Maine, the old time war spirit showed 
itself everywhere in the United States, but nowhere more 
than in Illinois. The State furnished nine regiments, one 
of which was colored. 

325. Lincoln Monument. — The Lincoln monument 
was transferred from the original Lincoln Monument 
Association to the State in May, 1895. When Mr. Tanner 
came into office it was found that the structure, which cost 
a quarter of a million of dollars, was settling to one 
side and otherwise disintegrating. An appropriation of 
$100,000 was made for repairs w^hich were made under 
the direction of a state board consisting of the governor, 
superintendent of public instruction, and state treasurer. 

326. Protection of Game. — Laws for the preservation 
of our game, animals and birds, have been on our statute 



244 



A Student's History of Illinois 








■■^.. 




■ir-Y-"- 



Lincoln Monument at Springfield. 

books for many year.s, but in LSUU Ibe law provided for 
a state game commissioner with a game warden for each 
congressional district and deputies for each county. These 
officers are very diligent inasmuch as their pay depends 
upon the fines collected for violations of the law. All 
expenses of this work are paid out of the fines collected 
and a balance is usually left to the credit of the State 
treasury. 

327. Factory Inspection. — In rfoveruor Tanner's term 
the laws governing juvenile labor were greatly strength- 
ened as well as the laAvs of sanitation in factories generally. 
The law provides that children under fourteen years may 



A Student's History of Illinois 245 

not be employed in certain factories, and those between 
fourteen and sixteen only when the management has on 
file permits from the parent. Great good has resulted 
from this law. The hours have been shortened, juveniles 
have been taken out of extremely hazardous places in the 
factories, sanitation improved, and responsibility 
increased. 

328. Election of 1900.— The Repubhcan State conven- 
tion met in Peoria in May, 1900. Here Mr. Richard Yates 
was nominated for governor. The Democrats nominated 
a very popular gentleman for the same office, Mr. Samuel 
Alschuler, of Aurora. The campaign was vigorously con- 
tested, both candidates being unusually good speakers. 
The State went Republican by a large majority. 



246 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR RICHARD YATES, JR. 
1901—1905. 

Richard Yates, Jr., is a native of Illinois. He was born in Jack- 
sonville, December 12, 1860. His father moved into the executive 
mansion in Springfield about the first of January, 1S61. While yet 
a boy of less than five years, he was in the midst of the stirring 
times of the great civil strife. His father was the most prominent 
figure in the west during that critical period. 

Richard, junior, was educated in the public schools, Whipple 
Academy, Illinois College, and Michigan University. He took up 
the practice of law, and was city attorney of Jacksonville six years; 
county judge three years, and internal revenue collector two years. 

His campaign for the nomination for governor was quite dramatic. 
He made a tour of some of the counties accompanied by a "bugler," 
who had no trouble in drawing a crowd. Mr. Yates was inaugurated 
in January, 1901. Governor Yates took with him into the executive 
mansion, his mother, who forty years previously had entered that 
same mansion with Dick Yates, a baby only a few weeks old. 



CHAPTER XLII. 
SOME GOOD Legislation. 

329. Farmers' Institute. — Probably the most far reach- 
ing legislation in Governor Yates' term was the law creat- 



A Student's History of Illinois 247 

ing the Illinois Farmers' Institute. The following is the 
enacting clause: 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the general assembly, That to assist and en- 
courage useful education among the farmers, and for develop- 
ing the agricultural resources of the State, that an organiza- 
tion under the name and style of "Illinois Farmers' Institute" 
is hereby created, and declared a public corporation of the State. 

The directors of this organization are the superintendent 
of public instruction, professor of agriculture of the Uni- 
versity of Illinois, president of the state board of agricul- 
ture, president of the state horticulture society, and presi- 
dent of the state dairymen's association. 

There are congressional and county organizations. A 
great work is being done through the local meetings which 
are held in every county once a year. The public schools 
are heartily co-operating with the Farmers' Institute. The 
State University is also co-operating and in a large meas- 
ure leading the way. The dawning of a brighter day for 
the farmer and the rural school is at hand. 

330. A World's Fair. — The people in the states of the 
"Louisiana Purchase" were desirous of commemorating 
that purchase by the celebration of the one hundredth 
anniversary. The federal government was induced to 
assist in the matter, and a great World's Exposition was 
held in St. Louis in 1904. Illinois was greatly interested 
in this exposition and the legislature was very liberal in 
appropriating a sum of money for a state exhibit. 

A beautiful and spacious building was erected and 
creditable exhibits installed. These displays were along 
all the lines of our material resources — coal, hay, wheat, 
oats, corn, fruits and vegetables, stock, and manufactured 
articles. Our educational and other interests were also 
represented. Among the exhibits from Illinois was a great 
collection of articles associated with the life of Abraham 



248 



yi Student's History of Illinois 



Lincoln. This exhibit was furnished by the Illinois His- 
torical library Association. 

331. Campaign of 1904. — Governor Yates was very de- 
sirous of the renoniination for governor, but after a long 
hard convention struggle lasting several weeks Charles S. 
Deneen of Chicago was nominated. The Democrats 
iK^med Hon. Lawrence B. Stringer of Lincoln. Mr. 
Deneen was elected. 




Executive Mansion at Springfield. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



249 




GOVERNOR CHARLES S. DENEEN. 
1905—1913. 

Mr. Deneen was a native of southern Illinois, having been born 
in Edwardsville, Illinois, May 4, 1863. He was educated in Mc- 
Kendree College, and in the law school of Northwestern University. 
While getting started in the law business in Chicago he taught night 
school to support himself. He had held the position of representa- 
tive in the general assembly, attorney for the Chicago sanitary 
board, state's attorney for Cook county, besides positions of trust 
in his party. He served as governor two terms and was the candi- 
date of his party for the office in the campaign of 1912, but was 
defeated in the election by Judge Edward P. Dunne, the Democratic 
nominee. Mr. Deneen is engaged in the practice of law in Chicago. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 



GOVERNOR CHARLES S. DENEEN. 



332. Inaugural. — Governor Deneen was inaugurated 
on January 9, 1905. His inaugural message was a timely 



250 A Student's History of Illinois 

discussion of the merit system in public service, a primary 
election law, and economy in public expenditures. Gov- 
ernor Deneen had previously said on a public occasion : 
"The office of governor is a high and honorable one 
Its occupant embodies for the time being the 
collective conscience and will of the whole people . . . 
Efficient service is the test of merit." 

333. Legislation.— The first session of the general assem- 
bly placed two very important laws upon the statute 
books. One was a Civil Service Law. This law provides 
that most places of employment in the State institutions 
shall be filled by appointment from an eligible list made 
up of those who have successfully passed a State civil 
service examination. The other law was a Primary Elec- 
tion Law. This was declared unconstitutional and the 
legislature was called in extra session April 10, 1906, to 
enact another primary law. 

334. Back Taxes.— Another thing Governor Deneen 
was deeply interested in was collecting from the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company what was claimed to be a 
large unpaid tax covering the past thirty or forty years. 
Suits were also begun against several ex-treasurers and 
ex-auditors for large sums said to be in their hands as 
unpaid balances due the State. 

These suits were all pushed vigorously and the claims 
of the State were made good in the courts. In 1907 the 
rate for passenger fare on all railroads wholly in Illinois 
was reduced from three cents to two cents per mile. 

335. Local Option. — A most far reaching law was 
passed in the session of the legislature in 1907. It was 
what is called the Local Option law. This law permits 
townships, or precincts in counties not under township 
organization, to exclude the legal sale of intoxicating 
liquors, by popular vote. Many hundred saloons have 
been voted out in Illinois under this law. 



A Student's History of Illinois 251 

336. Reelected. — In 1908 Governor Deneen was re- 
nominated by the Republican party for the governorship. 
He was opposed by Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, ex-Vice- 
President of the United States. Mr. Stevenson made a 
very fine race against Mr. Deneen but the latter was elected 
by a small majority and was inaugurated in the early 
part of 1909. 

337. Deep Waterway. — In Governor Deneen's second 
term the usual amount of legislation was enacted ; but the 
one thing which stood out above others was the movement 
for a deep waterway connecting the southerly end of the 
Chicago Drainage Canal and the head of navigation of 
the Illinois river. Governor Deneen secured the passage 
of a law which provided for an election on the question 
of issuing bonds to the extent of twenty millions of dollars 
for the construction of this canal. In the face of deter- 
mined opposition the vote was favorable to the issue of 
the bonds. The construction of this canal was contingent 
upon the action of the general government in rendering 
certain assistance and the delay was so extended that no 
definite action had been taken at the end of Mr. Deneen's 
second term. 

338. Landslide of 1912. — The rupture of the national 
Republican party in 1912 divided also the State Republi- 
can party, and there were three prominent men running 
for governor in that year. Mr. Deneen was the nominee 
of the Republican party. Judge Dunne of Chicago was 
the Democratic candidate, while Mr. Frank Funk of 
Bloom in gton was the standard bearer of the Progressives. 
Judge Dunne was elected by a handsome plurality and 
assumed the duties of his office January, 1913. 



252 



A Student's History of Illinois 




GOVERNOR EDWARD F. DUNNE. 

1913— 

Edward F. Dunne, twenty-fifth governor, resident of Cook County, 
was born at Waterville, Connecticut, October 12, 1853. Was edu- 
cated in the public grammar and high schools of Peoria, 111., and 
in Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Admitted to practice law in 
Illinois in 1877. In the practice of law, he has been associated in 
partnership with Judge Scates, and with Congressman William J. 
Hynes. In 1892 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook 
County, and twice re-elected Judge of the same Court. Resigned 
from the bench in 1905, when elected Mayor of the city of Chicago. 
In the year 1912, he received the Democratic nomination for gov- 
ernor and was elected in November of that year by a plurality of 
124,651 votes. He is a very genial gentleman and has many warm 
friends. He was a candidate for re-election as governor in 1916. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

SOME RECENT LEGISLATION. 

339. Inauguration Delayed. — Because of the fact that 
there were three tickets in the field in 1912 there was no 



A Student's History of Illinois 253 

majority party in the legislature. The election of a 
Speaker was delayed some weeks. The governor cannot 
be sworn in till the House and Senate are organized. 
Finally the Speaker was chosen and the organization was 
quickly completed and the governor sworn in. 

The governor's programme of legislation was compre- 
hensive and wise. His recommendations could not be 
enacted into law as Democratic measures since that party 
could not control a majority vote in either house. But 
considerable progress was made by combining all the inter- 
ests in all three parties, of those who really desired good 
laws. 

340. Good Roads — Probably no law enacted in Gov- 
ernor Dunne's term will do more lasting good than the 
legislation on "good roads." The State tax assessed against 
automobiles goes into a "good roads" fund. This fund is 
then distributed over the State as "State aid" for the im- 
provement of the roads. In connection with this good 
roads legislation there is a commission which furnishes 
engineers to any road unit that desires their aid. Many 
miles of roads have been permanently improved under 
these laws. 

341. Deep Waterway. — In Governor Deneen's term of 
office a move was set on foot for the opening of a deep 
AA^aterway from the south terminal of the Chicago drainage 
canal to some point on the Illinois river in the vicinity 
of LaSalle or Utica. The people voted to issue bonds for 
$20,000,000, for the construction of this Avaterway, but 
the improvement Avas never begun, owing to some opposi- 
tion by the federal government. Governor Dunne secured 
the enactment of another laAv appropriating $5,000,000, 
for this enterprise, but the federal government has with- 
held its consent. 

342. Public Welfare. — The spirit of the times seems 
to be to direct public expenditures and legislative and 



254 A Student's History of Illinois 

executive activity toward the improvement of the condi- 
tion of the great body of people. Larger appropriations 
have been made for all forms of public education. 
School authorities must provide sanitary buildings for 
the public schools. -Factories likewise are under 
strict oversight as to the health and safety of 
emjjloyees. The pure food laws and game laws are very 
strict and courts are exacting as to violations. Great 
advance has been made in safety appliance in and about 
mines. Mine rescue stations are located in coal mining 
centers and schools are maintained to instruct groups of 
miners how to carry on rescue work. A public utilities 
commission has oversight of public utilities and regulates 
prices and settles differences between the public and serv- 
ice corporations. 

343. Foot and Mouth Disease. — For the past two years 
there has been a new plague prevalent among the stock of 
Illinois. This disease is known as the ''foot and mouth 
disease.'"' Great herds of fine cattle, chiefly in the north 
part of the State, have been slaughtered by order of the 
State in order to stamp out the disease. Thousands of 
money have been appropriated from the State treasury to 
reimburse those whose herds have been killed. A recent 
statement from the State authorities announces the com- 
plete eradication of the disease in Illinois. 

344. On the Border.— In the summer of 1916 the 
conditions on the Mexican border were such that the Presi- 
dent called out the national guard of the several states to 
assist the regular soldiers in maintaining order and secur- 
ing life and property. Illinois sent several regiments to 
the Rio Grande where they were encamped awaiting devel- 
opments between the two countries. 



A Student's History of Illinois 



255 




GOVERNOR FRANK O. 
1917— 



LOWDEN. 



Frank O. Lowden was born in Minnesota in 1861. At the age of 8 
years he, with his family, moved to Iowa. Here he was schooled. In 
1885 he was graduated from the State University and was valedictorian 
of his class. In 1SS7 he was graduated from the Union College of Law 
(Northwestern). He practiced in Chicago and taught law in North- 
western University Law School. He was married to Miss Florence 
Pullman in 1896. Was lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment, Illi- 
nois National Guard. In 1904 he was a prominent candidate for the 
Republican nomination for governor. The honor went to Charles S. 
Deneen. In 1906 he was elected to Congress from the Thirteenth Dis- 
trict, where he served till 1913. In 1900 he purchased a large tract of 
land near Oregon, Ogle County, which he christened "Sinnissippi 
Farm." Here he has engaged in agriculture, giving especial attention 
to dairying, stock-breeding, tree culture, and general farming. Gov- 
ernor Lowden is known as a prosperous farmer as well as a successful 
politician. He is a man of very generous impulses. 



CHAPTER XLV. 

GOVERNOR FRANK O. LOWDEN. 

345. A Noted Campaign. — l\Ir. Lowden, the candidate 
of the Republican party, carried on a very vigorous cam- 
paign against Governor Dunne, the Democratic candidate, 



256 A Student's History of Illinois 

and was elected by a majority of 200,000. ]\Ir. Lowden's 
platform was as follows : 

Business methods in State affairs. — Practical men in State posi- 
tions. — Ten departments in place of one lumdred. — A revision of or.r 
tax laws. — Fewer State jobs and lower taxes.^ — Development of farms 
and live stock interests. — Protection of our industrial workers. — 
Enforcement of the civil service law. — Full suffrage for -women. 

346. Progressive Legislation. — The General Assembly 
which was elected in the fall of 1916 was Republican in 
both houses, and in sympathy with the policy which j\Ir. 
Lowden had championed. The four measures which give 
character to the work of the session are : 

A law placing private banks under State supervision. — Provision 
for the construction of 4,400 miles of hard roads within the State. — 
Submission of vote on constitutional convention. — Code bill consoli- 
dating over one hundred commissions into nine departments, as fol- 
lows: Finance, Agriculture, Labor, Mines and INIinerals, Public Works 
and Buildings, Public Welfare, Public Health Trade and Commerce, 
Kegistration and Education. 

The appropriation for the Biennium was $50,581,101.00. 

347. The Great War. — In the early spring of 1917 the 
United States declared war against Germany, and provided 
for a conscription of an army of 2,000,000 men. On Regis- 
tration Day Illinois sent forth over 600,000 young men 
between 21 and 31 years of age. Thousands of her young 
men volunteered for the various forms of military service. 

348. Race Riots. — In the latter part of May, 1917, a 
race riot broke out in East St. Louis. Before order was 
restored some lives were lost and a number of persons were 
seriously injured. In the early morning hours of July 2nd, 
the police were called into the section of the city occupied 
by the colored people. In attempting to disperse a large 
crowd of armed negroes, one policeman was killed and 
otliers wounded. In a few hours the populace were unman- 
ageable and the Governor was called on for protection by 



A Student's History of Illinois 257 

the National Guard. All throngli the day disorder and 
death reigned. That night fires broke out and large areas 
of the city lay in ashes. The Governor visited the city on 
the 3rd and ordered the soldiers to load with ball and 
powder and shoot as a last resort. Order was soon restored. 
The situation was the outgrowth of economic, social, and 
political conditions which have long prevailed in the city. 
349. Two Stricken Cities. — On the afternoon of Satur- 
day, May 26, 1917, the cities of Mattoon and Charleston 
were visited by one of the most destructive cyclones M'hich 
has ever crossed our State. The northern section of the 
city of Mattoon was almost entirely swept away. This was 
the manufacturing section of the city and the home of the 
laboring people. Scores of lives were lost and many hun- 
dreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property destroyed. 
The city of Charleston, twelve miles east, was almost as 
severely dealt with. Relief committees and the Red Cross 
Society provided for the immediate needs of the unfortu- 
nate people by furnishing food, clothing, and temporary 
shelter. The National Guard preserved order. The Gen- 
eral Assembly appropriated the sum of $275,000.00 for the 
needs of the stricken people. 



258 A Student's History of Illinois 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

1918, THE CENTENNIAL YEAR. 

350. The State's Centennial. — Illinois was admitted to 
the Union December 3, 1818, and the year 1918 will therefore 
be the Centennial year. Several years ago public spirited 
citizens began to think of the propriety of observing the 
centennial of the State in some appropriate manner. The 
matter was considered in the annual meetings of the State 
Historical Society, Prior to the admission of Illinois into 
the Union there had been created by territorial authority 
fifteen counties within the present limits of the State. Each 
of these would therefore have its centennial before the State 
could have hers. Two of these counties, ]\Iadison and St. 
Clair, celebrated their centennial quite in keeping with their 
importance among the counties of the State. Other coun- 
ties also have held celebrations. 

351. First Official Action. — It was generally agreed 
that the State's 100th anniversary should be of such a 
character as to justify the laying of large plans and the 
expenditure of generous sums of money. It was therefore 
tliought advisable that the State should take the initiative. 
In the session of the General Assembly in the spring of 
1913, steps were taken resulting in the appointing of a 
commission of fifteen whose duty it should be to prepare 
for the celebration of the State's centennial. Plans were 
laid and considerable progress made. By reason of some 
legal defect in the first law, another law was passed and a 
new commission appointed. The general plan is explained 
in the next four topics. 



A Student's History of Illinois 259 

352. Local Celebrations. — The commission has advised 
that local celebrations be held in various localities, usually 
at the county seat. These celebrations should take 
the form of public speaking, singing, reminiscent talks, 
pageants, etc. Committees should be appointed and plans 
matured so that the exercises may be interesting, profita- 
ble, and dignified. The public schools should participate 
largely in these exercises. 

353. State Celebration. — There will be held in Spring- 
field a celebration which will probably occupy several days. 
Men of high rank in the State and nation will participate 
in these exercises. Set performances with scenic back- 
ground, accompanied with specially prepared music, to- 
gether with pageants depicting the dramatic and heroic 
events in the State's history will be presented. No pains 
will be spared to make these exercises all that the history 
of a great state will justify. It will be an epoch-making 
week in the history of Illinois. 

354. State History. — The commission has planned to 
prepare and publish a history of the State. This work is 
designed to meet two ends: "First, to tell the story accu- 
rately and in a scientific spirit." Second, to meet the 
demands of the "intelligent general reader." There will 
be six volumes as follows : — 

An Introductory Volume. 

Vol. I. Illinois, Province and Territory, 1673—1818. 

Vol. II. The Frontier State, 1818—1848. 

Vol. III. The Era of Transition, 1848—1870. 

Vol. IV. The Industrial State, 1870—1893. 

Vol. V. The Modern Commonwealth, 1893—1918. 

The Introductory volume has been issued and distrib- 
uted. It deals with the Political, the Economic, and the 
Social conditions in Illinois at the time of the admission 
of the State, 1818. 



260 A Student's History of Illinois 

355. A Memorial Building. — A memorial building of 
magnificent proportions and of surpassing beauty is planned 
to be erected on a beautiful plot of ground just south of 
the capitol building. This location was secured by the 
people of Springfield assisted by an appropriation from 
the General Assembly. The building will probably be 
christened The Centennial Memorial Building. The laying 
of the corner stone will be a part of the exercises of the 
State celebration. The building when completed will fur- 
nish a home for the State Historical Library, the State His- 
torical Society, the Department of Education, and other 
kindred organizations. 



ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL FLAG 

This flag-, designed by Wallace Rice of Chicago, was adopted by 
the Illinois Centennial Commission as the official flag for the cen- 
tennial. It should not be confused with the Illinois State Flag author- 
ized by the General Assembly in 1915. 

The flag is blue and white. The ten blue stars above represent 
the ten northern or free states and the group of ten below represent 
the ten southern or slave states when Illinois was admitted. The 
large white star represents Illinois, the twenty-flrst state admitted 
to the Union. 



A Student's History of Illinois 261 



A GENERAL SURVEY. 

356. Distribution of Population.— Illinois had in 1800 
a population of 2,400. In 1810, 12,282. In 1820, 55,162. 
One-fourth of this population in 1820 was in that part 
of the state north of an east and west line through Alton. 
Chicago was a mere village, and neither Peoria nor Spring- 
field had a half dozen log cabins. 

By the census of 1830 there were 157,445 people in 
the state. The north four-fifths of the area of the state 
had one-half of the people, while one-fifth of the area 
at the south had one-half. This gives four times as many 
people to the square mile in the south fifth as in the 
north four-fifths. 

357. New Counties. — The census of 1840 showed Illi- 
nois had 476,183 souls. The large counties of the cen- 
tral and northern part of the state had been subdivided 
and new counties created. There were now 87 counties. 
Towns and villages were greatly multiplying. This 
growth in population resulted from the Internal Improve- 
ment schemes of 1836. A sketch of Bureau county says: 
'^As late as 1836 there were no settlements on the prairies." 
McLean county's first brick house was built in 1839. 
Champaign county was not organized until 1838, and in 
1840 its population was only one and a half persons to 
the square mile. 

358. Growth in Population. — By 1850 the population 
had doubled in nearly all central and northern Illinois. 
Somewhat later a central Illinois county had 12,274 na- 
tives, 4,012 of foreign birth, and 16,451 who had immi- 
grated from the eastern states. These sixteen thousand 
were the "Yankees." 



262 A Student's History of Illinois 

359. Illinois Central R. R. — This railroad was completed 
in 1854. The building of the two branches from Cen- 
tralia to Chicago and from Centralia to Galena greatly 
stimulated the growth of the central and northern parts 
of the state. In addition, the building and completion of 
the Illinois and Michigan canal greatly aided in the 
growth of towns and cities. Probably the farming sec- 
tions of the country did not grow as fast as the towns 
and cities. Much of the rich prairies along the Illinois 
Central lay in its wild state several years after the Civil 
War. This rich black soil was sold to the settlers at $1.25 
per acre. It is now worth $300 per acre. 

360. Manufacturing, etc. — Not only is the soil of cen- 
tral and northern Illinois the richest in the great middle 
west, but this land is greatly enhanced in value by great 
underlying fields of coal. Practically all of Illinois 
south of an east and west line through Rock Island is 
underlaid with coal. The presence of coal in this section 
and the wonderful facilities for transportation in the 
railroads, canals, rivers, the lake, and electric lines, and 
the rich deposits of iron, zinc, copper, clay, with wonder- 
ful forests of hard wood in this and nearby states — all 
combine to make central and northern Illinois unsur- 
passed as a general manufacturing region. These great 
manufacturing plants have grown up chiefly since 1875. 

361. Shift in Population. — In the census of 1870 there 
were more people in Illinois engaged in agriculture than 
in all other occupations. In 1890 one-third of the people 
were on the farms and two-thirds in manufacturing and 
transportation, etc. In 1915 only one-fourth of the peo- 
ple lived on farms and 75 per cent were engaged in man- 
ufacturing, mining, transportation, and trade. There 
are more than a dozen different lines of manufacturing, 
chief of which is meat packing. Next to this stands the 
iron and steel industries. 



A Student's History of Illinois 263 

362. Thriving Cities.— As the traveler passes through 
the state from south to north, he is charmed by the im- 
mense farms, the long stretches of ''good roads," the great 
barns, the tall silos, beautiful orchards, the "little red 
school houses," churches, homes, scenery, and a contented 
and prosperous people. But not less varied and interest- 
ing are the thriving cities, the great mines, the manufac- 
turing plants, and the wonderful systems of transporta- 
tion. Not least of these is our far-reaching inland sea. 
The port of Chicago is one of the busiest on the lakes. 

363. Means of Culture. — We have been considering the 
''meat and drink" side of life, but there is an aspect which 
must not be neglected — the means of culture. We have 
studied briefly the beginnings of the means of education 
and the founding of churches. All means of education 
provided by the state prior to 1855 were haphazard. In 
this year a school law was passed and a permanent sys- 
tem of education provided. Since then there has been a 
wonderful development of the system, until now one of 
our chief industries is growing American citizens through 
the agency of our public school system. 

Churches dot the landscape, but the part formerly 
played by our rural churches as centers of religious and 
social life is waning. The power for good of the village, 
town, and city churches has had a marked growth. There 
is an effort to revive the use of rural church houses and 
school houses as social centers. 

In all our cities of considerable size there has been 
established park systems. These parks meet a spiritual 
need of the toiling masses. It is a great joy to the worn- 
out people of the congested parts of our cities to get into 
the parks for a few hours each week. The management 
of these parks provide playground apparatus for the chil- 
dren, bathing pools, together with the maintenance of 
botanical and zoological gardens. 



264 A Student's History of Illinois 

To meet a more general need for recreation and pleas- 
ure, the legislature has appropriated large sums of money 
for the purchase and preservation of parks in different 
sections of the state. These parks are usually connected 
with some event in the state's history. Among these may 
be mentioned the Starved Rock reservation, the Fort Mas- 
sac reservation, the Fort Chartres reservation ; and two 
others are recommended for purchase — the White Pine 
Forest of Ogle county and the great Monk's Mound in 
Madison county. 

364. Higher Education. — Beyond the common schools 
— that is the eight grades, there is a very perfect system 
for higher education. High schools were for many years 
supported by single school districts, usually those of cities. 
But in more recent years a township system of high schools 
has been authorized by law. These high schools may 
include the territory of the township or a new taxing unit 
may be created from parts of several townships. These 
township high schools may be counted by the scores over 
the state. A more recent law provides that boys and girls 
having completed the eight grades in rural or village 
schools may have free attendance in any designated high 
school, the county paying the tuition. 

Above the high schools the state provides five normal 
schools for the preparation of teachers. These are very 
largely attended. Lastly, there is the State University at 
Urban a. Here the students may elect courses in law, engi- 
neering, medicine, domestic science, agriculture, etc. 

In addition to these means provided by the state for 
higher education there are scores of institutions provided 
by private means or by church interests. There are pro- 
fessional schools — law, medicine, and theology, as well as 
schools for the preparation of other professions which have 
recently gained a footing in our social fabric. 

What a wonderful privilege to be a part of this vast 



A Student's History of Illinois . 265 

state, so resourceful, so self-sufficient, with such vast possi- 
bilities, with such high ideals, and with so rich and glo- 
rious a heritage. How shall we meet the responsibilities 
which fall to us to preserve unsullied our great inheri- 
tance and transmit it unimpaired to the coming genera- 
tions? 

The answer is not difficult if we rightly understand 
that the responsibilities that fall to us are to be borne by- 
all the people — each in his little niche working out his 
share of the problem and cheerfully contributing his 
part toward the perfecting of our social structure. 

Not without thy wondrous story, 
Can be writ the nation's glory, 

Illinois! Illinois! ■* 



DATES IN ILLINOIS HISTORY 

Adapted from Illinois Blue Book. 

1673 — Marquette and Joliet discover Mississippi river. 

1673 — Marquette founds mission at Kaskaskia, near Utica. 

1680 — LaSalle builds Fort Crevecoeur near Peoria lake. 

1680 — Father Hennepin explores upper Mississippi. 

1682 — LaSalle reaches mouth of Mississippi river. 

1682 — LaSalle and Tonty build Fort St. Louis on Starved Rock. 

1687 — LaSalle assassinated in Texas. 

1700 — Kaskaskia Indians settle at mouth of Kaskaskia river. 

1700— Cahokia settled, and mission established. 

1711 — Mission founded a€ present site of Fort Massae. 

1712 — Illinois country given to Crozat by King of France. 

1717 — The Western Company supersedes Crozat. 

1718 — Lieut. Boisbriant reaches Illinois country with 100 soldiers; 
builds Fort Chartres. 

1720 — Phillipe Renault introduces slavery in Illinois. 

1721 — Monastery and college founded at Kaskaskia. 

1722 — Prairie du Rocher, the oldest town in the state, founded. 

1732 — Illinois becomes a Royal Province. 

1755 — Fort Chartres rebuilt of stone. 

1765 — English take formal possession of Illinois Country. 

1768 — Colonel Wilkins establishes civil government in Illinois. 

1772 — Fort Chartres abandoned by British on account of high 
water. 

1772 — Kaskaskia becomes capital of Illinois Country. 

1778 — Colonel George Rogers Clark captures Kaskaskia with 
Virginia troops. 

1778 — La Ville de Maillet built first house in Peoria. 

1778 — Illinois is made a county in Virginia. 

1779 — Colonel John Todd assumes the duties of a civil com- 
mandant of Illinois. 

1779 — Colonel Clark marches from Kaskaskia to Vincennes and 
captures Colonel Hamilton and Fort Sackville. 

1783 — Samuel J. Seeley taught the first English school, at New 
Design in Monroe county. 

1783 — Illinois ceded by Great Britain to the United States. 



268 Dates in Illinois History 

1784 — Virginia cedes her claim to Illinois to the general gov- 
ernment. 

1787 — Ordinance for the government of the territory north or 
Ohio river passed by Congress. 

1790— St. Clair county laid off and officered by Gov. St. Clair. 

1790 —John Rice Jones first lawyer in Illinois. 

1795— Randolph county created. 

1800 — Illinois becomes part of Indiana territory. 

1804 — Kaskaskia becomes a U. S. land office. 

1804 — Fort Dearborn established. 

1806 — First Masonic Lodge organized at Kaskaskia. 

1809 — Illinois Territory created, and Ninian Edwards made first 
governor. 

1809 — Nathaniel Pope made Secretary of Illinois. 

1810 — First U. S. mail route from St. Louis to Vincennes via 
Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher, and Kaskaskia. 

1811 — First steamboat sailed down the Ohio. 

1811 — Severe earthquake at New Madrid, Mo., disturbed all 
southern Illinois. 

1811 — Battle of Tippecanoe fought. 

1812 — Fort Russell built, one mile and a half northwest of 
Edwardsville. 

1812 — Blockhouses and small forts built throughout southern 
Illinois. 

1812 — Peoria burned by troops from Shawneetown and inhab- 
itants exiled in the woods near Alton. 

1812 — Illinois becomes a territory of the second class. 

1812 — Massacre at Fort Dearborn. 

1814 — First paper, "The Illinois Herald," published by Mathew 
Duncan at Kaskaskia. 

1816 — First bank established by law located at Shawneetown. 

1818 — Enabling Act passed by Congress for the admission of 
Illinois. 

1818 — Illinois admitted, December 3. 

1818 — First constitutional legislature met at Kaskaskia; Gov. 
Bond inaugurated. 

1819— Springfield settled by John Kelly. 

1820 — Capital removed from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. 

1820 — First duel in Illinois at Belleville. 

1823 — State House at Vandalia burned. 

1824 — People defeat effort to make Illinois a Slave State. 

1825 — General La Fayette visits Kaskaskia and Shawneetown. 



Dates in Illinois History 269 

1825 — First effort to establish free schools. 

1826 — First steamboat on Illinois river. 

1826 — Congress grants 224,322 acres of land to assist in con- 
structing Illinois and Michigan Canal. 

1827 — ^Winnebago War. 

1827 — First penitentiary built at Alton. 

1830 — Lincoln's father settled near Decatur. 

1830 — Chicago platted by James Thompson, with 50 inhabitants. 

1830-1— Winter of the Deep Snow. 

1832— Black Hawk War. 

1833 — The "Democrat," first paper in Chicago. 

1836 — Lincoln admitted to the bar of Illinois. 

1837 — State House begun in Springfield. 

1837 — Elijah P. Lovejoy murdered in Alton. 

1838 — First steam locomotive in Illinois; run on road from 
Meredosia to Jacksonville. 

1839 — Mormons arrive at Nauvoo. 

1841 — Knox College chartered. 

1844 — Death of Pierre Menard. 

1846 — Illinois troops leave Alton for Mexican War. 

1848 — First telegram received in Chicago. 

1848 — First boat through Illinois and Michigan Canal. 

1850 — Death of Judge Nathaniel Pope. 

1851 — Illinois Central Railroad chartered. 

1853— State debt $16,724,177. 

1854 — Ninian W. Edwards first Supt. of Public Instruction. 

1856 — First Republican convention in Illinois — at Bloomington. 

1858 — Lincoln-Douglas debates. 

1860 — Lincoln nominated and elected president. 

1861 — Illinois answers call for troops by President Lincoln. 

1861— Death of Hon. Stephen A. Douglas. 

1863 — Gov. Yates provogued the General Assembly. 

1865 — First steel rails made in United States, produced in Chi- 
cago. 

1865 — Lincoln assassinated. 

1867 — Great Eads bridge at East St. Louis commenced. 

1868 — Present State House begun. 

1870 — Present constitution written in Springfield. 

1871— Chicago Fire. 

1874 — Lincoln monument dedicated. 

1874 — Great Eads bridge at East St. Louis opened. 

1881 — Last dollar of Illinois' great debt paid. 



270 Dates in Illinois History 



1885— Death of U. S. Grant. 

1886 — Haymarket riot in Chicago. 

1887 — Chatsworth railroad disaster — 150 persons killed. 

1888— Melville W. Fuller appointed Chief Justice of the United 

States Supreme Court. 
1890 — Chicago University founded. 

1891 — Lincoln's birthday, February 12, made a legal holiday. 
1892 — World's Fair buildings in Chicago dedicated. 
1893— World's Fair opened. 
1893 — Compulsory education law passed. 
1894 — Work begun on Hennepin Canal. 
1895 — Torrens Land Act passed. 
1895— Death of Eugene Field. 
1896 — W. J. Bryan nominated for president on the Democratic 

ticket. 
1897 — Law creating the Farmers' Institute. 
1898— Death of Frances E. Willard. 
1890 — Chicago Drainage Canal opened. 

1903 — Illinois participated in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 
1907 — Local Option Law passed. 
1907 — Illinois voted favorably to open a deep water way from 

the Chicago Drainage Canal down the Illinois river. 



INDEX 



NUMBERS REFER TO PAGES 



Page 

Advocate, Common School 177 

Agriculture 10 

Altgeld, Governor 237 

American Bottom 32 

Ames, Bishop 152 

Anarchists 238 

Anti-Nebraskans 178 

Appropriations 127 

Area of State 4 

Architecture, Altgeld 240 

Assembly, Territorial Tl 

Atkinson, General 120 

Bad Axe, Battle of 123 

Back Taxes 250 

Baker, Colonel 163, 191 

Bank, State 91, 119 

Bank, mismanaged 113 

Banks and banking. .. .79, 126, 158 

Banking system, new 171 

Baptists 89, 150 

Barter 41 

Battles of Civil War 199 

Beardstown 120 

Beveridge, Governor 221 

Bienville, Governor 30 

Bi.ssell, Governor 164, 179, 184 

Black Hawk 120 

Black Hawk war 117 

Black code 94 

Black laws repealed 205 

Black Republicans 187 

Block houses 74 

Boisbriant, Lieutenant 30 

Bond, Governor 84, 91 

Boone, Daniel 44 

Border, on the 254 

Boundary of state 4 

Bowman, Captain 47 

Bradley, Joshua 152 

Breckenridge, John C 186 

Breese, Judge 169 

Bryan, W. J 241 

Buena Vista 163 

Burr, Aaron 70 

Butterfield, Justin 158 



Page 

Cahokia 51, 56 

Cairo 4, 195 

Calhoun County 5 

Call for troops 175 

Campmeeting 147 

Campaign of 1846 161 

Campaign of 1834 123 

Campaign bitter 102 

Campaign of 1852 172 

Campaign of 1856 178 

Campaign of 1872 219 

Canal 158 

Capital removed 95, 130 

Cartier, James 14 

Carroll County 5 

Cartwright, Peter 148 

Carlin, Governor 131 

Casey, Zadoc 123 

Champlain, work of 14, 16 

Charles Mound 4 

Charter I. C. R. R 170 

Chester 4 

Chicago strike 239 

Chicago fire 218 

Chickasaw Indians 35 

Choctaw Bend 20, 29 

Christian Commission 212 

Churches in Chicago 149 

Civil service 250 

Clapboards 5 

Clark, Colonel 44,46, 59 

Clay 7 

Coal 7, 10 

College, Illinois 152 

College, Shurtleff 151 

College, McKendree 152 

College, Jonesboro 153 

College, Jubilee 153 

Collins, Colonel 164 

Commandants 42 

Commerce 10 

Congress of Indians 17 

Constitutions 164, 217 

Conventions 82, 128, 197, 229 

Corn Island 46 



272 



Index 



Page 

Counterfeiting 63 

Counties 77, 98, 100, 144 

Counties, the fifteen 81 

Courcelles 17 

Crozat, grant to 29 

Cullom, Governor 224 

Customs 40, 91 

Davis, David 225 

Dead-lock 230 

Debt in 1839 139 

Debt, out of 226 

Debt, floating 159 

Deep snow 118 

Deep waterway 251, 253 

Delegates to convention 83 

Deneen, Governor 229, 251 

Diamond Grove 153 

Disloyalty 214 

Douglas, Stephen A.. 169, 175, 192 

Duncan, Governor 125, 143 

Draft, the 211 

Drainage canal 232, 251 

Drift, glacial 5 

Duel 180 

Dunne, Governor 252 

Edwards, Governor 73, 112 

Editors 145 

Education 33, 88, ISO 

Election of 1826 Ill 

Election of 1838 131 

Election of 1860 185 

Election of 1868 209 

Election of 1896 241 

Election of 1900 245 

Ellis, Rev 152 

Enabling Act 81 

Ewing, Governor 124 

Factory legislation 244 

Farmers' convention 177 

Farmers' institute 247 

Fifer, Governor 232 

Fishermen, French 14 

Flag fired on 194 

Fluor spar 8 

Fotd, Governor 117, 143, 157 

Fort Chartres 30, 36 

Fort Crevecoeur 26 

Fort Duquesne 38 

Fort Dearborn massacre 74 

Fort Donelson 197 

Fort Gage 235 

Fort Frontenac 23 



Page 

Fort STieridan 239 

Fort Russell 76 

Fort Massac 41, 46 

French, Governor 162 

Free school 176 

Freeport Doctrine 183 

French in Ohio X'alley 36 

Frontenac, Count 17 

Gallatin County 5 

Game laws 243 

Gas, natural 9 

Gazeteer, Peck's 6 

Gibault, Father 5 

Gifts to Illinois 81, 134 

Glaciated areas 4, 5 

Good roads 253 

Grand Tower 20 

Grand Prairie 6 

Granger movement 222 

Greeley, Horace 219 

Green Bay 2^ 

Greenback Party 223 

Griffin, the 24 

Hamilton, Governor 228 

Hamilton County 63 

Hamilton, Colonel 53 

Hall, Judge James 176 

Hardin, Colonel 163 

Harrison, Governor 57, 67 

Harrodstown 45 

Henry, Governor Patrick 45 

Heald, Captain 74 

Helm, Captain 53 

High license 228 

Homestead law 166 

Humus 5 

Hunters' road 47 

Icarians 161 

Ice sheet 5 

Ideas, three French 16 

mini 13 

Illinois Central R. R 11, 168 

Illinois County 52 

Illinois' Sons 200 

Illinois Territory 72, 77 

Illinois — A State 80 

Illinois and Michigan Canal... 

127, 138 

Immaculate Conception 21, 29 

Immigration 78 

Improvement, Internal. ... 163, 173 

Independent Party 222 



Index 



273 



Page 

Indians, the Illinois 11 

Indian Point 47 

Indiana Territory divided 70 

Indebtedness, State 158 

Industries 86 

Iron 9 

Jackson County 5 

Jenkins, Lieutenant Governor. . 169 

Jo Daviess County 4, 5 

Joliet, Louis 18 

Kankakee 26 

Kaskaskia 20, 49, 235 

Kaolin 8 

Kellogg's Grove 121 

King, Captain 215 

Kilpatrick, Thomas 161 

Kinney, William 124 

Knights of the Golden Circle.. 213 

Knox County 64 

Labor Day 235 

La Fayette 108 

Land office 72, 133 

Land grant 169 

Landslide 236, 251 

La Salle 23 

Law, John 30 

Laws, territorial 77. 78 

Lead 7 

Legislature Democratic 199 

Legislation 207, 230 

Lincoln biography 87 

Lincoln-Douglas debate 180 

Lincoln's farewell 191 

Lincoln assassinated 205 

Lincoln's monument 243 

Local option 250 

Lockport 233 

Logan, Senator 226 

Long knives 51 

Loss in war 1 99 

Mackinaw 25 

Making salt 134 

Matteson, Governor 173 

Marquette, Father 18, 21 

McClelland, Gen 202 

Message, Gov. Reynold's 118 

Message, Gov. Duncan's. .. 125, 128 

Methodists 89, 150 

Mexican War 161 

Mississippi discovered 19 

Missouri compromise 175 

Mobile Bay 29 



Page 

Money 126, 174 

Montreal 16 

Mormons 142, 159 

Nauvoo 159 

Newby, Col 164 

New Capitol 144 

New design 66 

New Orleans 32 

New Salem 189 

Newspapers 104, 145 

New York plan 171 

Normal schools 180, 217, 240 

Northern Cross R. R 140 

Oglesby, Gov 204, 197, 230 

Ohio Company 37 

Ordinance 1787 62 

Orendorff, Gen 227 

Outlaws 154 

Outlook 158, 174 

Ozarks 9 

Palmer, Gov 216 

Panther Creek 215 

Peck, Rev. John 152 

Penitentiary, First 114 

People, Composition of the.... 12 

Petroleum 9 

Peoria 26 

Pipe Line 135 

Pioneer Industry 132 

Pittsburg Landing 197 

Popular Science 133 

Pope, Nathaniel 80 

Policy Reversed 139 

Pope County 5 

Points, Timber 7 

Prairie areas 6 

Prentiss, Gen 195 

Presbyterians 90 

Pre-emption law 78 

Prehistoric 11 

Primary law 250 

Price of land 98 

Preachers 147 

Provisions in const 165 

Proclamation 1763 41 

Public welfare 253 

Public schools 174 

Railroad, First 168 

Railroad strike 226 

Randolph County 5 

Religion 145 

Republican governor. First 179 



274 



Index 



Page 

Retrospect, A 85, 144 

Repudiation 142 

Report by Harrison 132 

Reservations 114, 133 

Revenues 95 

Reservations 133 

Renault 31 

Residuary soil 5 

Riots, Haymarket 231 

Rivers 10 

Rosiclare 9 

Route to Vincennes 56 

Route to Kaskaskia 47 

Royal Province 34, 35 

Russell, Prof 153 

Sanitary Commission 212 

Salt 87 

Saline County 5 

Sangamon Country 108 

Sankenuk 120 

Sac and Fox Indians 120 

Salt Springs 132 

Salt Licks 133, 136 

School legislation 115 

Scott, Gen 123 

Settlers, French IS 

Secret societies 103 

Session, Special. . 102, 126, 139, 195 

Sheridan, Gen 219 

Silent Man, The 196 

Smith, Gen 227 

Smith, Joseph 160 

Slavery 68, 174 

Snyder, Adam 142 

Soils 5 

Society 91, 154 

Spies 45 

Squatter sovereignty 182 

Starved Rock 26 

State aid 253 

State bank 130 

State house, Nevir 207 

State's resources 208 

St. Clair, Gov 63, 69 

St. Clair County 4 

St. Phillipe 42 

St. Francis' Mission 21 

St. Louis, Fort 27, 39 

St. Joseph 25 

Stevenson, A. E 239 

Stillman's defeat 121 



Page 

Stringer, L. B 248 

Substitute 212 

Surface 4 

Survey 40, 132 

Tanner, Gov 242 

Taylor, Gen 76, 164 

Teachers, Early 88 

Teachers' Institute 177 

Tecumseh 73 

Timber areas 5 

Tippecanoe, Battle of 141 

Todd, Col 61 

Tonty, Henri de 24 

Township organization 166 

Trades 41 

Torrens land law 243 

Trees, Kinds of 6 

Treaty 1763 38 

Underground R. R 174 

Unglaciated areas 4, 5 

University of Illinois 177, 207 

Vandalia 96, 176 

Vigo, Col 53 

Villages, Si.x French 32 

Villiers 37 

Vincennes 52, 55, 57 

Volunteers 194 

Vote of thanks 53 

Vote on slavery 105 

War of 1812 73 

War governors 210 

War widows 213 

Washington County 63 

Watershed 4 

Western Company 43 

Whigs 144 

White City 235 

White County 5 

White, Col 73 

Wiggins loan 119 

Wigwam Speech 192 

Wild cat banks 72 

Wilkins, Col 43 

Willing, The 55 

Winnebagoes 12 

Winnebago war 115 

Wisconsin River, Battle of.... 122 

Wood, Gov 184 

World's Fair 234. 247 

Yates, Jr., Gov 246 

Yates, Sen., Gov 193, 197 



Illinois 

By C. H. CHAMBERLAIN 

Used by permission of Clayton F. Suntnty Co., 
owners of the copyright 



By thy rivers gently flowing, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
O'er thy prairies verdant growing, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Comes an echo on the breeze. 
Rustling thro' the leafy trees. 
And its mellow tones are these, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
And its mellow tones are these, 
Illinois. 



From a wilderness of prairies, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Straight thy way and never varies, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Till upon the inland sea. 
Stands thy great commercial tree. 
Turning all the world to thee, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Turning all the world to thee, 
Illinois. 



When you heard your country calling. 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Where the shot and shell were falling, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
When the "Southern Host" withdrew. 
Pitting Gray against the Blue, 
There were none more brave than yon. 

Illinois, Illinois, 
There were none more brave than yon. 
Ulinois. 



Not without thy wondrous story, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Can be writ the nation's glory, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
On the record of thy years, 
Ab'ram Lincoln's name appears. 
Grant and Logan, and our tears, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Grant and Logan, and our tears, 
Illinois. 



"Illinois" and 169 other songs of the right sort, all with 
music, can be had in the Golden Book of Favorite Sanga 
for 15 cents. 

Hall & McCreary Chicago, III. 



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